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DNMT3A mutation coordinates epigenetic and translational regulation through orchestrating BCAA metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia

ABSTRACT: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring DNMT3A mutation exhibits epigenetic dysregulation, chemoresistance and poor outcome, but the underlining mechanism remains elusive. Here, inspired by the unexpected finding that DNMT3A-mutated AML patients exhibit a unique translatome landscape, we connected this epigenetic mutation to translational dysregulation through reprogrammed branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. Particularly, DNMT3A mutation induces DNA hypomethylation-dependent activation of BCAT1, a rate-limiting aminotransferase gene for BCAA metabolism. Thereafter, the accumulation of intracellular BCAA more profoundly alters translation of a select subset of transcripts with higher BCAA codon ratios. Accordingly, deficiency in BCAA availability reduces the translation of target genes and attenuated the proliferative advantages of DNMT3A-mutated AML cells. More importantly, the pharmacological inhibition of BCAT1 with Gabapentin normalized BCAA levels, reversed target genes translation and repressed leukemia cell growth specifically in DNMT3A-mutated AML cells. Collectively, these findings uncovered a novel epigenetics-metabolism axis, in which DNMT3A mutation boosts BCAA metabolism thereby not only forming a positive feedback loop to enhance DNA hypomethylation through alpha ketoglutarate (α-KG)-dependent ten-eleven translocation (TET) activation, but also affecting gene translation in a BCAA codon-biased manner. Moreover, the efficacy of Gabapentin in suppressing AML cell proliferation highlights the clinical relevance of targeting BCAA metabolism to improve outcomes of DNMT3A-mutated AML.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE296332 | GEO | 2026/05/31

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) pathway and high levels of BCAA transaminase 1 (BCAT1) have recently been associated with aggressiveness in several cancer entities. However, the mechanistic role of BCAT1 in this process remains largely uncertain. Here, by performing high-resolution proteomic analysis of human acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) stem-cell and non-stem-cell populations, we find the BCAA pathway enriched and BCAT1 protein and transcripts overexpressed in leukaemia stem cells. We show that BCAT1, which transfers α-amino groups from BCAAs to α-ketoglutarate (αKG), is a critical regulator of intracellular αKG homeostasis. Further to its role in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, αKG is an essential cofactor for αKG-dependent dioxygenases such as Egl-9 family hypoxia inducible factor 1 (EGLN1) and the ten-eleven translocation (TET) family of DNA demethylases. Knockdown of BCAT1 in leukaemia cells caused accumulation of αKG, leading to EGLN1-mediated HIF1α protein degradation. This resulted in a growth and survival defect and abrogated leukaemia-initiating potential. By contrast, overexpression of BCAT1 in leukaemia cells decreased intracellular αKG levels and caused DNA hypermethylation through altered TET activity. AML with high levels of BCAT1 (BCAT1high) displayed a DNA hypermethylation phenotype similar to cases carrying a mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDHmut), in which TET2 is inhibited by the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate11,12. High levels of BCAT1 strongly correlate with shorter overall survival in IDHWTTET2WT, but not IDHmut or TET2mutAML. Gene sets characteristic for IDHmut AML13 were enriched in samples from patients with an IDHWTTET2WTBCAT1high status. BCAT1highAML showed robust enrichment for leukaemia stem-cell signatures14,15, and paired sample analysis showed a significant increase in BCAT1 levels upon disease relapse. In summary, by limiting intracellular αKG, BCAT1 links BCAA catabolism to HIF1α stability and regulation of the epigenomic landscape, mimicking the effects of IDH mutations. Our results suggest the BCAA–BCAT1–αKG pathway as a therapeutic target to compromise leukaemia stem-cell function in patients with IDHWTTET2WT AML.

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DNMT3A mutation coordinates epigenetic and translational regulation through orchestrating BCAA metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia

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