Compartmentalized branched-chain amino acid metabolism orchestrates colorectal cancer dissemination via an UMP-vimentin axis

Cell Metabolism 2026 Open access

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Authors: Fenfen Ji, Pingmei Huang, Qiming Zhou, Lok Him Ko, Qinyao Wei, Charis Cheuk-Lok Chan, D.M. Chen, Huarong Chen, Wei Kang, Alvin Ho-Kwan Cheung, Hao Cheng, Jianming Shen
+10 more Yasi Pan, Ying Jiao, Lin Zhu, Tat Wai Chik, Peisi Xie, Xiao Liang, Onno Kranenburg, Zongwei Cai, Jun Yu, Chi Chun Wong
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2026.01.007
Cited by: 3
References: 48

Abstract

. UMP binds to vimentin and protects it against ubiquitination-proteasome degradation. Dietary BCAA restriction or blockade of UMP biosynthesis impaired cancer spread of BCAT1-high CRC, and BCAT1-to-BCAT2 expression ratio is an independent prognostic factor in CRC and pan-cancer cohorts, highlighting translational relevance of BCAA metabolic compartmentalization in cancer metastasis.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cancer Hypoxia and Metabolism Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism Cancer Cells and Metastasis

Publication details

Journal / source
Cell Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
38
Issue
4
Pages
794–811.e8
Publication date
6 February 2026
Language
EN