DLST mutations in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma cause proteome hyposuccinylation and metabolic remodeling

Using stable cell lines, we found that succinylation levels were highly dependent on DLST. Furthermore, PPGL-causing DLST mutations, predicted to alter DLST homo-oligomeric complex structure, caused a significant remodeling of the cellular succinylome. Succinylation is thought to cause major chemical and structural changes in proteins, most likely influencing their function. Accordingly, we found that the dysregulation of succinylation appeared to influence several essential pathways related to PPGL development such as hypoxia, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. This study points to succinylation as a new mechanism involved in the development of PPGLs, supporting the growing body of research highlighting the role of this PTM in different types of cancer.