Peroxiredoxin-1 Tyr194 phosphorylation regulates LOX-dependent extracellular matrix remodelling in breast cancer

Background: Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) belongs to an abundant family of peroxidases whose role in cancer is still unresolved. While mouse knockout studies demonstrate a tumour suppressive role for PRDX1, in cancer cell xenografts, results denote PRDX1 as a drug target. Probably, this phenotypic discrepancy stems from distinct roles of PRDX1 in certain cell types or stages of tumour progression. Methods: We demonstrate an important cell-autonomous function for PRDX1 utilising a syngeneic mouse model (BALB/c) and mammary fibroblasts (MFs) obtained from it. Results: Loss of PRDX1 in vivo promotes collagen remodelling known to promote breast cancer progression. PRDX1 inactivation in MFs occurs via SRC-induced phosphorylation of PRDX1 TYR194 and not through the expected direct oxidation of CYS52 in PRDX1 by ROS. TYR194-phosphorylated PRDX1 fails to bind to lysyl oxidases (LOX) and leads to the accumulation of extracellular LOX proteins which supports enhanced collagen remodelling associated with breast cancer progression. Conclusions: This study reveals a cell type-specific tumour suppressive role for PRDX1 that is supported by survival analyses, depending on PRDX1 protein levels in breast cancer cohorts.