Human glioblastoma cell motility depends on the activity of the cysteine metabolism enzyme 3-Mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase

Abstract Cancer cells in similar functional states are found in all glioblastoma, despite the genomic heterogeneity observed between and within these brain tumors. Metabolism being downstream of all signaling pathways regulating cell behaviors, we looked for metabolic weaknesses in link with motility, a key functional state for glioblastoma aggressiveness. A signature-driven data reduction approach highlighted motile cells present in thirty tumors from four independent single-cell transcriptomic datasets. Analyses integrating trajectory modeling disclosed, as characteristic of motile cells, enhanced oxidative stress coupled with mobilization of the cysteine metabolism enzyme 3-Mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST). The soundness of this prediction was verified using migration and invasion assays with patient-derived cells and tissue organoids. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations showed that enhanced ROS production and MPST activity are required for the cells’ motility. Biochemical assays indicated that MPST acts by protecting protein cysteine residues from dismal hyperoxidation. In vivo, MPST knockdown translated in reduced tumor burden, and a robust increase in mice survival. These results show that enhanced oxidative stress coupled with MPST mobilization plays a key role in glioblastoma cell motility.