KLF10/CBS increases the sensitivity of gastric carcinoma cells to methionine restriction by promoting sulfur transfer pathway

Gastric cancer metastasis is a major cause of poor prognosis. Our previous research showed that methionine restriction (MR) lowers the invasiveness and motility of gastric carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the particular mechanisms of MR on gastric carcinoma metastasis. In vitro, gastric carcinoma cells (AGS, SNU-5, MKN7, KATO III, SNU-1, and MKN45) were grown in an MR medium for 24 h. In vivo, BALB/c mice were given a methionine-free (Met^-) diet. Transwell assays were used to investigate cell invasion and migration. The amounts of Krüppel like factor 10 (KLF10) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) were determined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. To determine the relationship between KLF10 and CBS, chromatin immunoprecipitation and a dual-luciferase reporter experiment were used. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect lung metastasis. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine cystathionine content. MR therapy had varying effects on the invasion and migration of gastric carcinoma cells AGS, SNU-5, MKN7, KATO III, SNU-1, and MKN45. KLF10 was highly expressed in AGS cells but poorly expressed in KATO III cells. KLF10 improved MR's ability to prevent gastric carcinoma cell invasion and migration. In addition, KLF10 may interact with CBS, facilitating transcription. Further detection revealed that inhibiting the KLF10/CBS-mediated trans-sulfur pathway lowered Met^-'s inhibitory effect on lung metastasis development. KLF10 transcription activated CBS, accelerated the trans-sulfur pathway, and increased gastric carcinoma cells' susceptibility to MR.