A PSAT1 buff of YBX1 transcriptionally sustains HLA-E-mediated evasion of NK immunity

Y Yangyi Zhang (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) H He Ren (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) C Chaobing Ma (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) C Changhong Shi (Laboratory Animal Center, Air Force Medical University) R Ruigang Yang (Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science) C Chenxi Wang (Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science) P Pengfei Feng (Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science) B Bo Zhang C Chenyu Liu (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) Z Zubiao Niu (Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science) Y Yalan Yang (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) Y You Zheng (Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science) Z Zhuoran Sun (Department of Chemistry) Y Ying Zhang S Shinan Zhang (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) G Gerry Melino (Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”) H Hongyan Huang (Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University) Q Qiang Sun

Abstract

Despite great success in certain cancers, immunotherapy made little progress in treating immune cold tumors, largely attributed to an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment with elusive mechanisms. Here, we report in prostate cancer cells a positive feedback loop driven by phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) that could be targeted to render effective cytotherapy by natural killer (NK) cells. In the loop, PSAT1 increases Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) phosphorylation by microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2, promoting its nuclear translocation to upregulate PSAT1 transcription. Meanwhile, YBX1 also promotes human leukocyte antigens E (HLA-E) transcription to inactivate NK cells. Consequently, the PSAT1 loop serves as a buff sustaining YBX1/HLA-E expression, suppressing NK killing of prostate cancer cells. Targeting loop molecules, such as PAST1, effectively potentiates tumor suppression by NK cells both in-vitro and in-vivo. Thus, our study uncovered a heretofore unrecognized nonautonomous mechanism for PSAT1, as well as a molecular buff for YBX1, to drive tumor growth by evading NK immunity, providing a promising target for NK cytotherapy of immune cold tumors.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 52
Published December 30, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (18)

Y

Yangyi Zhang

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

H

He Ren

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

C

Chaobing Ma

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

C

Changhong Shi

Laboratory Animal Center, Air Force Medical University

R

Ruigang Yang

Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

C

Chenxi Wang

Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

P

Pengfei Feng

Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

B

Bo Zhang

C

Chenyu Liu

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

Z

Zubiao Niu

Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

Y

Yalan Yang

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

Y

You Zheng

Academy of Military Medical Science, Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science

Z

Zhuoran Sun

Department of Chemistry

Y

Ying Zhang

S

Shinan Zhang

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

G

Gerry Melino

Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

H

Hongyan Huang

Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

Q

Qiang Sun