The anti-tumor agent, Dp44mT, promotes nuclear translocation of TFEB via inhibition of the AMPK-mTORC1 axis.

Di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT) and its analogues are potent anti-cancer agents through their ability to target lysosomes. Considering this, it was important to understand the mechanisms involved in the Dp44mT-mediated induction of autophagy and the role of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a critical autophagic regulator. As such, this investigation examined AMPK's role in the regulation of the transcription factor EB (TFEB), which transcribes genes involved in autophagy and lysosome biosynthesis. For the first time, this study demonstrated that Dp44mT induces translocation of TFEB to the nucleus. Furthermore, Dp44mT-mediated nuclear translocation of TFEB was AMPK-dependent. Considering that: (1) the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) plays an important role in the regulation of TFEB; and (2) that AMPK is a known regulator of mTORC1, this study also elucidated the mechanisms through which Dp44mT regulates nuclear translocation of TFEB via AMPK. Silencing AMPK led to increased mTOR phosphorylation, that activates mTORC1. Since Dp44mT inhibits mTORC1 in an AMPK-dependent manner through raptor phosphorylation, Dp44mT is demonstrated to regulate TFEB translocation through dual mechanisms: AMPK activation, which inhibits mTOR, and inhibition of mTORC1 via phosphorylation of raptor. Collectively, Dp44mT-mediated activation of AMPK plays a crucial role in lysosomal biogenesis and TFEB function. As Dp44mT potently chelates copper and iron that are crucial for tumor growth, these studies provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms involved in intracellular clearance and energy metabolism that occur upon alterations in metal ion homeostasis.