ACSL4 coordinates metabolic and cell cycle reprogramming to promote endometrial cancer progression
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynecologic malignancy associated with lipid metabolic reprogramming. We identified ACSL4, a fatty acid-activating enzyme, as significantly upregulated in EC and inversely correlated with tumor differentiation. Functional assays revealed that ACSL4 promotes EC cell proliferation, migration, and G1/S progression, while its knockdown exerts suppressive effects. Mechanistically, ACSL4 activates the PPARα-CPT1C axis to enhance fatty acid β-oxidation and upregulates E2F2 to drive cell cycle progression. Inhibition of ACSL4 with PRGL493 suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings highlight ACSL4 as a dual regulator of lipid metabolism and cell proliferation and a potential therapeutic target in EC.