Pramatarov, R. L. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

Local translation drives glioblastoma heterogeneity and tumor invasion

O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=174 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/722387v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (96K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1da020corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1bc9b32org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@171198aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@43ce6f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Glioblastoma is characterized by diffuse brain invasion, yet the subcellular mechanisms enabling this aggressive behavior remain poorly understood. A subpopulation of glioblastoma cells forms invasive tumor microtubes (TMs), neurite-like extensions that drive whole-brain colonization. Here, we establish local protein translation as a fundamental driver of TM dynamics and invasive cell states. Developing a subcellular transcriptomics approach - integrating subcellular organelle organization with spatially resolved transcriptomics and functional readouts - we reveal that TM gene expression drives cell state identity. Invasive cells further exhibit significantly elevated local translation in protruding TMs, directly linking subcellular protein synthesis to functional invasive states associated with neurodevelopmental programs of axonal growth cones. Targeted disruption of TM-localized translation via photoswitchable puromycin, and specific knockdowns of the TM-enriched proteins GPM6A and GAP43, impaired TM dynamics, suppressed invasion, and reduced tumor growth. Together, these findings define local translation as a key determinant of tumor heterogeneity and glioblastoma invasion.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Characterizing and targeting glioblastoma neuron-tumor networks with retrograde tracing

Glioblastomas are invasive brain tumors with high therapeutic resistance. Neuron-to-glioma synapses have been shown to promote glioblastoma progression. However, a characterization of tumor-connected neurons has been hampered by a lack of technologies. Here, we adapted retrograde tracing using rabies viruses to investigate and manipulate neuron-tumor networks. Glioblastoma rapidly integrated into neural circuits across the brain engaging in widespread functional communication, with acetylcholinergic neurons driving glioblastoma invasion. We uncovered patient-specific and tumor cell state-dependent differences in synaptogenic gene expression associated with neuron-tumor connectivity and subsequent invasivity. Importantly, radiotherapy enhanced neuron-tumor connectivity by increased neuronal activity. In turn, simultaneous neuronal activity inhibition and radiotherapy showed increased therapeutic effects, indicative of a role for neuron-to-glioma synapses in contributing to therapeutic resistance. Lastly, rabies-mediated genetic ablation of tumor-connected neurons halted glioblastoma progression, offering a viral strategy to tackle glioblastoma. Together, this study provides a framework to comprehensively characterize neuron-tumor networks and target glioblastoma.

cancer biology↗