ASCT2 palmitoylation regulated by JNK1-ZDHHC14 axis orchestrates glutamine metabolism and NSCLC progression

Abstract

Abstract S-palmitoylation, a reversible post-translational modification regulates protein stability and cellular functions, yet its role in glutamine metabolism remains unclear. Here, we show that ZDHHC14 as the key palmitoyltransferase catalyzing ASCT2 palmitoylation at conserved Cys39 and Cys48 residues, promoting lysosomal degradation of this glutamine transporter, whereas ABHD17B functions as a depalmitoylase to stabilize ASCT2. Mechanistically, glutamine deprivation activates JNK1, which directly phosphorylates ZDHHC14 at Thr440 residue, triggering its degradation and thereby enhancing ASCT2 stability. Importantly, combination of JNK and ASCT2 inhibitors synergistically inhibits glutamine metabolism and tumor growth in vivo. These findings reveal a phosphorylation-palmitoylation axis linking JNK-mediated ASCT2 palmitoylation and glutamine metabolism, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Key findings

• ▸ZDHHC14 catalyzes the palmitoylation of ASCT2 at Cys39 and Cys48, promoting its lysosomal degradation.
• ▸ABHD17B acts as a depalmitoylase that stabilizes ASCT2 by removing the palmitoyl group.
• ▸Glutamine deprivation activates JNK1, which phosphorylates ZDHHC14 at Thr440 to trigger its degradation and enhance ASCT2 stability.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1038/s41421-026-00870-z

Journal

Cell Discovery

Year

2026