RIG-I Modulates Src-Mediated AKT Activation to Restrain Leukemic Stemness

Retinoic acid (RA)-inducible gene I (RIG-I) is highly upregulated and functionally implicated in the RA-induced maturation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. However, the underlying mechanism and the biological relevance of RIG-I expression to the maintenance of leukemogenic potential are poorly understood. Here, we show that RIG-I, without priming by foreign RNA, inhibits the Src-facilitated activation of AKT-mTOR in AML cells. Moreover, in a group of primary human AML blasts, RIG-I reduction renders the Src family kinases hyperactive in promoting AKT activation. Mechanistically, a PxxP motif in RIG-I, upon the N-terminal CARDs’ association with the Src SH1 domain, competes with the AKT PxxP motif for recognizing the Src SH3 domain. In accordance, mutating PxxP motif prevents Rig-I from inhibiting AKT activation, cytokine-stimulated myeloid progenitor proliferation, and in vivo repopulating capacity of leukemia cells. Collectively, our data suggest an antileukemia activity of RIG-I via competitively inhibiting Src/AKT association. [Display omitted] •RIG-I inactivates AKT-mTOR via disrupting Src/AKT association•RIG-I reduction causes AKT hyperactivation in primary human AML blasts•RIG-I PxxP motif competes with AKT PxxP motif for recognizing Src SH3 domain•Mutating PxxP motif impairs Rig-I’s ability to inhibit leukemic repopulation in vivo