Methionine cycle dysregulation mediates REDD1 overexpression-induced muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia

The essential amino acid methionine plays a pivotal role in one-carbon metabolism, facilitating the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a critical supplier for DNA methylation. Here we find the disruption of methionine metabolism by rapid SAMe depletion in skeletal muscle in cancer cachexia, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the overexpression of regulated in development and DNA damage responses (REDD1). Targeting the DNA methylation process via DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and REDD1 knockout can alleviate cancer cachexia-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methionine supplementation maintains the DNA methylation of DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 (Ddit4) by DNMT3A, thereby inhibiting activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-mediated Ddit4 transcription. Our study suggests that methionine or SAMe supplementation can effectively reverse muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia, providing valuable mechanistic insights and a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical application.