NAC regulates metabolism and cell fate in intestinal stem cells

Sofia Ramalho, Ferhat Alkan, Stefan Prekovic, Katarzyna Jastrzebski, Eric Pintó Barberà, Liesbeth Hoekman, Maarten Altelaar, Cecilia de Heus, Nalan Liv, Maria J. Rodríguez-Colman, Mehmet Yilmaz, Rob van der Kammen, Juliette Fedry, Mark C. de Gooijer, Saskia Jacoba Elisabeth Suijkerbuijk, William J. Faller*, Joana Silva*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) face the challenge of integrating metabolic demands with unique regenerative functions. Studies have shown an intricate interplay between metabolism and stem cell capacity; however, it is still not understood how this process is regulated. Combining ribosome profiling and CRISPR screening in intestinal organoids, we identify the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) as a key mediator of this process. Our findings suggest that NAC is responsible for relocalizing ribosomes to the mitochondria and regulating ISC metabolism. Upon NAC inhibition, intestinal cells show decreased import of mitochondrial proteins, which are needed for oxidative phosphorylation, and, consequently, enable the cell to maintain a stem cell identity. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of NACα is sufficient to drive mitochondrial respiration and promote ISC identity. Ultimately, our results reveal the pivotal role of NAC in regulating ribosome localization, mitochondrial metabolism, and ISC function, providing insights into the potential mechanism behind it.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereadn9750
Pages (from-to)eadn9750
JournalScience advances
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2025

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