Abstract
Pyruvate dehydrogenase B (PDHB) is an important component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and is implicated in altering tumor metabolism and promoting malignancy. However, the specific impact of PDHB on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metabolic reprogramming and its role in tumor progression remain to be elucidated. In our investigation, we have discerned a pronounced elevation in PDHB expression within HCC, intricately linked to delayed tumor staging, heightened tumor grading, and diminished prognostic outcomes. PDHB overexpression drives tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PDHB mediates metabolic reprogramming by binding to the promoter regions of SLC2A1, GPI, and PKM2, promoting glycolysis-related gene transcription, contributes to HCC sorafenib resistance. In addition, Isoacteoside is a targeted inhibitor of PDHB and exert antitumor effects on HCC. In the mouse xenograft model, the combination of isoacteoside and sorafenib shows significantly better effects than sorafenib alone. In summary, our study validates PDHB as an oncogenic drug resistance-related gene capable of predicting HCC tumor progression. PDHB and Isoacteoside could be potential avenues for targeted and combination therapies in liver cancer.