N-Myristoylation: A Central Hub Integrating Tumor Signaling, Metabolism, and Immunity for Precision Therapy.

Abstract

Lipid modifications are critical for membrane anchoring and signal transduction. N-myristoylation, catalyzed by NMT1/2, irreversibly attaches myristic acid to N-terminal glycine residues, enabling stable membrane localization and crosstalk with other post-translational modifications. This review traces NMT research from structural characterization to substrate profiling, highlighting the ordered double-substitution catalytic mechanism and variations in substrate recognition. While prior reviews have covered NMT biochemistry and innate immunity, we emphasize underappreciated roles of N-myristoylation in metabolic vulnerability, immune evasion, and acquired resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. We discuss how exogenous myristic acid from dietary sources fuels oncogenic signaling, and how N-myristoylation regulates key signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT, MAPK, ferroptosis) and targets (Src, AMPK, EZH2) to drive immunosuppressive and pro-tumor phenotypes. Antitumor potential of NMT inhibitors (e.g., B-13, Zelenirstat) and allosteric ABL1 inhibitors (asciminib) is evaluated. Recent methodological advances (including metabolic labeling, click chemistry, spatial proteomics, and computational simulations) are reviewed. However, translational challenges such as biomarker absence, blood-brain barrier limitations, and functional redundancy remain. Addressing these will require combination therapies tailored to specific mutational, metabolic, and immune profiles. In summary, N-myristoylation integrates signaling, metabolism, and immunity, offering a rationale for future precision oncology.