Seminar

Emerging roles of polyamine metabolism in prostate cancer

Amaia Zabala, PhD

Prostate cancer is among the most frequent cancers in men. Importantly, the majority of prostate cancers exhibit hyperactivation of the PI3K-mTORC1 pathway, which regulates cell growth, survival and metabolism. By using integrative metabolomics in a mouse model and human biopsies of prostate cancer, we identified alterations in tumors affecting the production of decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dcSAM) and polyamine biosynthesis. Furthermore, we showed that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) regulates polyamine dynamics, a metabolic route that is essential for oncogenicity. Despite intensive research, the molecular effectors and biological consequences of polyamines remain largely elusive. We have undertaken a multiomics strategy and uncovered unprecedented processes under the control of polyamines, that lead us to propose new functions for these metabolites in heath and disease. I will elaborate on two novel aspects related to polyamines and cancer biology.