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General Physiology and Biophysics Jul 2024Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is an important regulator for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study aimed to reveal its upstream pathway to provide...
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is an important regulator for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study aimed to reveal its upstream pathway to provide new ideas for developing the therapeutic targets of NSCLC. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGFA, ubiquitin-specific peptidase 35 (USP35), and FUS were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis were detected using CCK8 assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and tube formation assay. The interaction between USP35 and VEGFA was assessed by Co-IP assay and ubiquitination assay. Animal experiments were performed to assess USP35 and VEGFA roles in vivo. VEGFA had elevated expression in NSCLC tissues and cells. Interferences of VEGFA inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis. USP35 could stabilize VEGFA protein level by deubiquitination, and USP35 knockdown suppressed NSCLC cell growth, invasion and angiogenesis via reducing VEGFA expression. FUS interacted with USP35 to promote its mRNA stability, thereby positively regulating VEGFA expression. Also, USP35 silencing could reduce NSCLC tumorigenesis by downregulating VEGFA. FUS-stabilized USP35 facilitated NSCLC cell growth, invasion and angiogenesis through deubiquitinating VEGFA, providing a novel idea for NSCLC treatment.
Topics: Humans; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; RNA-Binding Protein FUS; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Ubiquitination; Cell Line, Tumor; Mice; Animals; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases; Mice, Nude; Angiogenesis
PubMed: 38953570
DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2024010 -
International Journal of Stem Cells Jul 2024Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) is a dynamic posttranslational modification which are linked to DNA damage and plays a key role in a wide variety of regulatory...
Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) is a dynamic posttranslational modification which are linked to DNA damage and plays a key role in a wide variety of regulatory transcriptional programs. Cancer cells exhibit a variety of epigenetic changes, particularly any aberrant H2Bub1 has frequently been associated with the development of tumors. Nevertheless, our understanding of the mechanisms governing the histone H2B deubiquitination and their associated functions during stem cell differentiation remain only partially understood. In this study, we wished to investigate the role of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) on H2Bub1 regulation during stem cell differentiation. In a search for potential DUBs for H2B monoubiquitination, we identified Usp7, a ubiquitin-specific protease that acts as a negative regulator of H2B ubiquitination during the neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic carcinoma cells. Loss of function of the gene by a CRISPR/Cas9 system during retinoic acid-mediated cell differentiation contributes to the increase in H2Bub1. Furthermore, knockout of the gene particularly elevated the expression of neuronal differentiation related genes including astryocyte-specific markers and oligodendrocyte-specific markers. In particular, glial lineage cell-specific transcription factors including oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and SRY-box transcription factor 10 was significantly upregulated during neuronal differentiation. Thus, our findings suggest a novel role of Usp7 in gliogenesis in mouse embryonic carcinoma cells.
PubMed: 38952059
DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23202 -
The Journal of Gene Medicine Jul 2024Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18)...
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) protein has been reported to exert different tumor-related effects in distinct tumor types. Here, we initially investigated the expression and signaling pathways of USP18 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).
METHODS
A quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to evaluate the mRNA level of USP18 in cultured cells. Immunohistochemical staining was used to explore the protein expression of USP18 in clinical COAD samples. Specific knockdown was achieved by transient transfection of small interfering RNAs into SW480 and HT29 cells using Lipo3000. Cell conting kit-8 assay, transwell assay and matrigel-transwell assays were conducted to evaluate proliferation, migration and invasion capacities, respectively. Western blotting was performed to analyze downstream signaling pathways. A chi-squared test and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the clinical data. Xenografts from mice model were assessed to validate the in vitro findings.
RESULTS
Higher USP18 level was identified in COAD tissues and was positively correlated with advanced tumor stage. High USP18 protein expression indicated poorer prognosis of COAD patients. Silencing USP18 suppressed COAD cell proliferation and invasion via destabilizing extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein and suppressing ERK downstream pathways. Simultaneously silencing interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) with USP18 can partially rescue the tumor cell viability, indicating its involvement in USP18 signaling. The oncogenic effects of USP18 were also confirmed in mice models.
CONCLUSIONS
USP18 plays oncogenic effects in colon adenocarcinoma via ISG15-ERK pathways. High USP18 expression indicates poor clinical outcomes for colon adenocarcinoma patients.
Topics: Humans; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Animals; Cell Proliferation; Mice; Adenocarcinoma; Colonic Neoplasms; Male; Cell Movement; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Signal Transduction; Cell Line, Tumor; Disease Progression; Middle Aged; Prognosis; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; HT29 Cells; Mice, Nude
PubMed: 38949077
DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3709 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Jun 2024Ubiquitin-specific protease 38 (USP38), belonging to the USP family, is recognized for its role in controlling protein degradation and diverse biological processes....
BACKGROUND
Ubiquitin-specific protease 38 (USP38), belonging to the USP family, is recognized for its role in controlling protein degradation and diverse biological processes. Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) following heart failure (HF) are closely linked to ventricular electrical remodeling, yet the specific mechanisms underlying VAs in HF remain inadequately explored. In this study, we examined the impact of USP38 on VAs in pressure overload-induced HF.
METHODS
Cardiac-specific USP38 knockout mice, cardiac-specific USP38 transgenic mice and their matched control littermates developed HF induced by aortic banding (AB) surgery. After subjecting the mice to AB surgery for a duration of four weeks, comprehensive investigations were conducted, including pathological analysis and electrophysiological assessments, along with molecular analyses.
RESULTS
We observed increased USP38 expression in the left ventricle of mice with HF. Electrocardiogram showed that the USP38 knockout shortened the QRS interval and QTc, while USP38 overexpression prolonged these parameters. USP38 knockout decreased the susceptibility of VAs by shortening action potential duration (APD) and prolonging effective refractory period (ERP). In addition, USP38 knockout increased ion channel and Cx43 expression in ventricle. On the contrary, the increased susceptibility of VAs and the decreased expression of ventricular ion channels and Cx43 were observed with USP38 overexpression. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, USP38 knockout inhibited TBK1/AKT/CAMKII signaling, whereas USP38 overexpression activated this pathway.
CONCLUSION
Our data indicates that USP38 increases susceptibility to VAs after HF through TBK1/AKT/CAMKII signaling pathway, Consequently, USP38 may emerge as a promising therapeutic target for managing VAs following HF.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Ventricular Remodeling; Heart Failure; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Heart Ventricles; Mice, Transgenic; Signal Transduction; Electrocardiography
PubMed: 38937697
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00846-3 -
BMC Cancer Jun 2024Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10), a typical de-ubiquitinase, has been found to play a double-edged role in human cancers. Previously, we reported that the...
OBJECTIVE
Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10), a typical de-ubiquitinase, has been found to play a double-edged role in human cancers. Previously, we reported that the expression of USP10 was negatively correlated with the depth of gastric wall invasion, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis in gastric cancer (GC) patients. However, it remains unclear whether USP10 can regulate the metastasis of GC cells through its de-ubiquitination function.
METHODS
In this study, proteome, ubiquitinome, and transcriptome analyses were conducted to comprehensively identify novel de-ubiquitination targets for USP10 in GC cells. Subsequently, a series of validation experiments, including in vitro cell culture studies, in vivo metastatic tumor models, and clinical sample analyses, were performed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of USP10 and its de-ubiquitination targets in GC metastasis.
RESULTS
After overexpression of USP10 in GC cells, 146 proteins, 489 ubiquitin sites, and 61 mRNAs exhibited differential expression. By integrating the results of multi-omics, we ultimately screened 9 potential substrates of USP10, including TNFRSF10B, SLC2A3, CD44, CSTF2, RPS27, TPD52, GPS1, RNF185, and MED16. Among them, TNFRSF10B was further verified as a direct de-ubiquitination target for USP10 by Co-IP and protein stabilization assays. The dysregulation of USP10 or TNFRSF10B affected the migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro and in vivo models. Molecular mechanism studies showed that USP10 inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the stability of TNFRSF10B protein, thereby regulating the migration and invasion of GC cells. Finally, the retrospective clinical sample studies demonstrated that the downregulation of TNFRSF10B expression was associated with poor survival among 4 of 7 GC cohorts, and the expression of TNFRSF10B protein was significantly negatively correlated with the incidence of distant metastasis, diffuse type, and poorly cohesive carcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study established a high-throughput strategy for screening de-ubiquitination targets for USP10 and further confirmed that inhibiting the ubiquitination of TNFRSF10B might be a promising therapeutic strategy for GC metastasis.
Topics: Stomach Neoplasms; Humans; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Ubiquitination; Mice; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Female; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Gene Expression Profiling; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Prognosis; Multiomics
PubMed: 38937694
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12549-3 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Recent studies have shown the crucial role of podocyte injury in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Deubiquitinating modification of proteins is widely...
Recent studies have shown the crucial role of podocyte injury in the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Deubiquitinating modification of proteins is widely involved in the occurrence and development of diseases. Here, we explore the role and regulating mechanism of a deubiquitinating enzyme, OTUD5, in podocyte injury and DKD. RNA-seq analysis indicates a significantly decreased expression of OTUD5 in HG/PA-stimulated podocytes. Podocyte-specific Otud5 knockout exacerbates podocyte injury and DKD in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice. Furthermore, AVV9-mediated OTUD5 overexpression in podocytes shows a therapeutic effect against DKD. Mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation experiments reveal an inflammation-regulating protein, TAK1, as the substrate of OTUD5 in podocytes. Mechanistically, OTUD5 deubiquitinates K63-linked TAK1 at the K158 site through its active site C224, which subsequently prevents the phosphorylation of TAK1 and reduces downstream inflammatory responses in podocytes. Our findings show an OTUD5-TAK1 axis in podocyte inflammation and injury and highlight the potential of OTUD5 as a promising therapeutic target for DKD.
Topics: Podocytes; Animals; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases; Diabetic Nephropathies; Mice; Inflammation; Ubiquitination; Humans; Mice, Knockout; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Phosphorylation; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases; HEK293 Cells; Deubiquitinating Enzymes
PubMed: 38937512
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49854-1 -
F1000Research 2023The risk of recurrence after nephrectomy for primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is estimated in daily practice solely based on clinical criteria. The aim of...
BACKGROUND
The risk of recurrence after nephrectomy for primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is estimated in daily practice solely based on clinical criteria. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic relevance of common somatic mutations with respect to tumor aggressiveness and outcomes of ccRCC patients after definitive treatment.
METHODS
Primary tumors from 37 patients with ccRCC who underwent radical nephrectomy were analyzed for presence of somatic mutations using a 15-gene targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Associations to histopathologic characteristics and outcomes were investigated in the study cohort (n=37) and validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ccRCC cohort (n=451).
RESULTS
was the most frequently mutated gene (51%), followed by (27%), (13%), (13%), (5%), (5%), (5%), and (3%). One-third of patients did not have any somatic mutations within the 15-gene panel. The vast majority of tumors harboring no mutations at all or VHL-only mutations (51%) were more frequently of smaller size (pT1-2) and earlier stage (I/II), whereas presence of any other gene mutations in various combinations with or without was enriched in larger (pT3) and higher stage tumors (III) (p=0.02). No recurrences were noted in patients with unmutated tumors or -only mutations as opposed to three relapses in patients with non- somatic mutations (p=0.06). Presence of somatic mutations in , or genes in 451 TCGA ccRCC patients was associated with a significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) compared to those with unaltered tumors (q=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary findings from this ongoing study support the prognostic value of non- mutations including , and in primary ccRCC tumors as surrogates of earlier recurrence and potential selection for adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibition.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Male; Female; Kidney Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Mutation; Aged; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein; Prognosis; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; Adult; Transcription Factors; Aged, 80 and over; Nuclear Proteins; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; DNA-Binding Proteins; Histone Demethylases
PubMed: 38933491
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.136087.2 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly population. The pathogenesis of PD encompasses genetic alterations, environmental... (Review)
Review
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly population. The pathogenesis of PD encompasses genetic alterations, environmental factors, and age-related neurodegenerative processes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that aberrant functioning of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of PD. Notably, E3 ubiquitin ligases serve as pivotal components determining substrate specificity within UPS and are intimately associated with the regulation of various proteins implicated in PD pathology. This review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms by which E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes modulate PD-associated proteins and signaling pathways, while exploring the intricate relationship between UPS dysfunctions and PD etiology. Furthermore, this article discusses recent research advancements regarding inhibitors targeting PD-related E3 ubiquitin ligases.
PubMed: 38931449
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060782 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2024Chromophobe RCC (ChRCC) carries the best prognosis among all RCC subtypes, yet it lacks a proper grading system. Various systems have been suggested in the past, causing...
Chromophobe RCC (ChRCC) carries the best prognosis among all RCC subtypes, yet it lacks a proper grading system. Various systems have been suggested in the past, causing much controversy, and Avulova et al. recently proposed a promising four-tier grading system that takes into consideration tumor necrosis. Dysregulation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a key role in ChRCC pathogenesis, highlighting its molecular complexity. The present retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with a more aggressive ChRCC phenotype. Seventy-two patients diagnosed with ChRCC between 2004 and 2017 were included in our study. Pathology reports and tissue blocks were reviewed, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed in order to assess the expressions of CYLD (tumor-suppressor gene) and mTOR, among other markers. Univariate analysis was performed, and OS was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. In our study, 74% of patients were male, with a mean age of 60 years, and the mean tumor size was 63 mm (±44). The majority (54%) were followed for more than 10 years at intervals ranging between 44 and 222 months. The risk of death was significantly higher for patients that were classified as Grade 4 in the Avulova system (HR: 5.83; 95% CI, 1.37-24.7; : = 0.017). As far as the IHC is concerned, mTOR expression was associated with an HR of 8.57 (95% CI, 1.91-38.5; = 0.005), and CYLD expression was associated with an HR of 17.3 (95% CI, 1.57-192; = 0.02). In our study, the Avulova grading system seems to be positively correlated with OS in patients diagnosed with ChRCC. Furthermore, an elevated mTOR expression also shows a negative correlation with OS, whereas an elevated CYLD expression does not seem to exert a protective role. However, because only a small proportion (4.2%) of our patients died due to ChRCC, despite the long follow-up period, the results must be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to validate our findings.
Topics: Humans; Male; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Female; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Neoplasms; Prognosis; Aged; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Neoplasm Grading; Adult; Immunohistochemistry; Deubiquitinating Enzyme CYLD; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38929613
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060996 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024A20, the central inhibitor of NFκB, has multiple anti-inflammatory properties, making it an interesting target in kidney autoimmune disease and transplant biology. It... (Review)
Review
A20, the central inhibitor of NFκB, has multiple anti-inflammatory properties, making it an interesting target in kidney autoimmune disease and transplant biology. It has been shown to be able to inhibit inflammatory functions in macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells in various ways, leading to less tissue damage and better graft outcomes. In this review, we will discuss the current literature regarding A20 in kidney transplantation and autoimmunity. Future investigations on animal models and in existing immunosuppressive therapies are needed to establish A20 as a therapeutic target in kidney transplantation and autoimmunity. Cell-based therapies, modified viruses or RNA-based therapies could provide a way for A20 to be utilized as a promising mediator of inflammation and tissue damage.
Topics: Kidney Transplantation; Humans; Animals; Autoimmunity; Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha-Induced Protein 3; Autoimmune Diseases; Graft Rejection
PubMed: 38928333
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126628