PGC1α Inhibits Polyamine Synthesis to Suppress Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness

Although tumorigenesis is dependent on the reprogramming of cellular metabolism, the metabolic pathways engaged in the formation of metastases remain largely unknown. The transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1 alpha) plays a pleiotropic role in the control of cancer cell metabolism and has been associated with a good prognosis in prostate cancer. Here, we show that PGC1 alpha represses the metastatic properties of prostate cancer cells via modulation of the polyamine biosynthesis pathway. Mechanistically, PGC1 alpha inhibits the expression of c-MYC and ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), the rate-limiting enzyme for polyamine synthesis. Analysis of in vivo metastases and clinical data from patients with prostate cancer support the proposition that the PGC1 alpha/c-MYC/ODC1 axis regulates polyamine biosynthesis and prostate cancer aggressiveness. In conclusion, downregulation of PGC1 alpha renders prostate cancer cells dependent on polyamine to promote metastasis. Significance: These findings show that a major regulator of mitochondrial metabolism controls polyamine synthesis and prostate cancer aggressiveness, with potential applications in therapy and identification of new biomarkers.