Inactivation of HIF-P4H-1 Stabilizes IKKα, Modulates Non-Canonical NF-κB Signaling, and Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Cell Death

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Abstract
Hypoxia and NF-κB signaling are well-established drivers of cancer progression and treatment failure, yet the oxygen-dependent regulation of non-canonical NF-κB signaling remains poorly defined. Here, we identify hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-4-hydroxylase-1 (HIF-P4H-1/EGLN2) as a key modulator of the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. Using integrated biochemical, genetic, proteomic, and transcriptomic analyses across human cell lines, mouse models, and clinical tumor samples, we demonstrate that HIF-P4H-1 directly interacts with and hydroxylates IKKα at proline 367, thereby promoting its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Loss or inhibition of HIF-P4H-1 results in accumulation of IKKα, impaired NF-κB2/p100 processing to p52, destabilization of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), and suppression of non-canonical NF-κB–dependent survival gene expression. Structural modeling and mutagenesis identify proline 367 hydroxylation as a critical determinant of IKKα turnover. Analysis of TCGA cohorts reveals an inverse correlation between HIF-P4H-1 and IKKα expression, with elevated HIF-P4H-1 associating with advanced tumor stage and reduced overall survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Functionally, targeting HIF-P4H-1 sensitizes cancer cells to cell death and impairs proliferation, clonogenic growth, and migration. Together, our findings define a previously unrecognized oxygen-dependent mechanism regulating non-canonical NF-κB signaling through direct control of IKKα stability and nominate the HIF-P4H-1–IKKα axis as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in hypoxia-adapted malignancies.
Funding Information
  • Research Council of Finland

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