Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling by the Reactive Glycolytic Metabolite Methylglyoxal

The NF-κB family of transcription factor complexes are central regulators of inflammation, and their dysregulation contributes to the pathology of multiple inflammatory disease conditions. Accordingly, identifying pharmacological mechanisms that restrain NF-κB overactivation remains an area of key importance. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) with the small molecule inhibitor CBR-470-2 results in attenuated NF-κB signaling, decreasing transcriptional output in response to several canonical NF-κB activating stimuli. Mechanistically, PGK1 inhibition promotes the accumulation of the glycolytic metabolite methylglyoxal, which crosslinks and inactivates NF-κB proteins, limiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of these transcription factor complexes. This work establishes a key connection between central carbon metabolism and immune signaling and further supports the notion that PGK1 inhibition may be a viable strategy to increase cellular survival and dampen inflammation in disease.