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AMBRA1 enhances Sonic Hedgehog signaling during cerebellar development and in medulloblastoma

TitleAMBRA1 enhances Sonic Hedgehog signaling during cerebellar development and in medulloblastoma
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2026
AuthorsBasili, Irene, Bufalieri Francesca, Conenna Marilisa, Navacci Shirin, Li Yue-Ru, Torrejon Jacob, Bernardi Flavia, Severini Ludovica Lospinoso, Marsaud Veronique, Cancila Gabriele, Bourmeau Guillaume, Yu Hua, Re Valentina Lo, Talbot Julie, Adabbo Gennaro, Di Pinto Alberico, Agnoli Francesca, Giovannini Daniela, Leonardi Simona, Bordone Rosa, Petroni Marialaura, Souphron Judith, Blauwblomme Thomas, Beccaria Kévin, Dufour Christelle, D'Angelo Luca, De Smaele Enrico, Canettieri Gianluca, Giannini Giuseppe, Fimia Gian Maria, Maroder Marella, Guardavaccaro Daniele, Pazzaglia Simonetta, Tsai Jin-Wu, Infante Paola, Ayrault Olivier, and Di Marcotullio Lucia
JournalDev Cell
Volume61
Issue5
Pagination1111-1126.e9
Date Published2026 May 13
ISSN18781551
KeywordsAdaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Animals, Cell Line, Tumor, Cerebellar Neoplasms, cerebellum, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Hedgehog Proteins, Humans, medulloblastoma, Mice, signal transduction, Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
Abstract

AMBRA1 (autophagy and beclin 1 regulator 1) is primarily recognized as a tumor suppressor. However, its role as a tumor promoter has garnered increasing attention. Here, leveraging clinical data of an international multi-omic medulloblastoma (MB) cohort, we identified that elevated AMBRA1 protein levels, independently of its mRNA expression, correlate with poor prognosis in the Sonic Hedgehog subgroup (MB). Mechanistically, AMBRA1 enhances SHH signaling by stabilizing GLI1, the pathway's final effector, via inhibition of its βTrCP-mediated degradation. Additionally, AMBRA1 protein stability is modulated by the REN E3 ubiquitin ligase, a tumor suppressor gene lost in MB. Inhibition of AMBRA1 blocks MB growth in murine and patient-derived preclinical models. Moreover, combining AMBRA1 knockdown with FDA-approved SHH inhibitors enhances antitumor efficacy. These findings identify the AMBRA1/βTrCP/REN axis as a key regulatory mechanism in SHH signaling and discover an unrecognized function of AMBRA1 in MB, providing actionable insights into brain tumor biology.

DOI10.1016/j.devcel.2026.03.008
Alternate JournalDev Cell
Citation Key14296
PubMed ID41980781