idh-1neomorphic mutation confers sensitivity to vitamin B12 inCaenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

In humans, a neomorphic isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation (idh-1neo) causes increased levels of cellular D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), a proposed oncometabolite. However, the physiological effects of increased D-2HG and whether additional metabolic changes occur in the presence of anidh-1neomutation are not well understood. We created aCaenorhabditis elegansmodel to study the effects of theidh-1neomutation in a whole animal. Comparing the phenotypes exhibited by theidh-1neoto∆dhgd-1(D-2HG dehydrogenase) mutant animals, which also accumulate D-2HG, we identified a specific vitamin B12 diet-dependent vulnerability inidh-1neomutant animals that leads to increased embryonic lethality. Through a genetic screen, we found that impairment of the glycine cleavage system, which generates one-carbon donor units, exacerbates this phenotype. In addition, supplementation with alternate sources of one-carbon donors suppresses the lethal phenotype. Our results indicate that theidh-1neomutation imposes a heightened dependency on the one-carbon pool and provides a further understanding of how this oncogenic mutation rewires cellular metabolism.