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Zhou Z, Zheng K, Zhou S, Yang Y, Chen J, Jin X. E3 ubiquitin ligases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and implications for therapies. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1543-1565. [PMID: 37796337 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02376-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is one of the pathogenic factors involved in the oncogenetic development and progression of NPC. E3 ligases, which are key members of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), specifically recognize various oncogenic factors and tumor suppressors and contribute to determining their fate through ubiquitination. Several studies have demonstrated that E3 ligases are aberrantly expressed and mutated in NPC and that these changes are closely associated with the occurrence and progression of NPC. Herein, we aim to thoroughly review the specific action mechanisms by which E3 ligases participate in NPC signaling pathways and discuss their functional relationship with EBV. Moreover, we describe the current progress in and limitations for targeted therapies against E3 ligases in NPC. KEY MESSAGES: • E3 ubiquitin ligases, as members of the UPS system, determine the fate of their substrates and may act either as oncogenic or anti-tumorigenic factors in NPC. • Mutations or dysregulated expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases is closely related to the occurrence, development, and therapeutic sensitivity of NPC, as they play important roles in several signaling pathways affected by EBV infection. • As promising therapeutic targets, E3 ligases may open new avenues for treatment and for improving the prognosis of NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Zhou
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Kaifeng Zheng
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Shao Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China
| | - Youxiong Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ningbo Yinzhou Second Hospital, Ningbo, 315199, China.
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Chemoradiotherapy, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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Cheng M, Cao H, Yao P, Guan J, Wu P, Ji H, Jiang S, Yuan Y, Fu L, Zheng Q, Li Q. PHF23 promotes NSCLC proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance via stabilization of ACTN4 and activation of the ERK pathway. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:558. [PMID: 37626047 PMCID: PMC10457402 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06069-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
At present, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for NSCLC. However, the emergence of chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles to lung cancer treatment. Plant homologous structural domain finger protein 23 (PHF23) plays crucial roles in multiple cell fates. However, the clinical significance and biological role of PHF23 in NSCLC remain elusive. The Cancer Genome Atlas data mining, NCBI/GEO data mining, and western blotting analysis were employed to characterize the expression of PHF23 in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. Statistical analysis of immunohistochemistry and the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database were used to investigate the clinical significance of PHF23. A series of in vivo and in vitro assays, including assays for colony formation, cell viability, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU incorporation) and Transwell migration, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, gene set enrichment analysis, co-immunoprecipitation analysis, and a xenograft tumor model, were performed to demonstrate the effects of PHF23 on the chemosensitivity of NSCLC cells and to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. PHF23 is overexpressed in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. High PHF23 levels correlate with short survival times and a poor response to chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. PHF23 overexpression facilitates cell proliferation, migration and sensitizes NSCLC cells to Cisplatin and Docetaxel by promoting DNA damage repair. Alpha-actinin-4 (ACTN4), as a downstream regulator, interacts with PHD domain of PHF23. Moreover, PHF23 is involved in ACTN4 stabilization by inhibiting its ubiquitination level. These results show that PHF23 plays an important role in the development and progression of NSCLC and suggest that PHF23 may serve as a therapeutic target in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Cheng
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyi Cao
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 NanjingBei Street, Heping District, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Peifeng Yao
- Department of Hand Surgery, Central Hospital affiliated to Shenyang Medical College, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingqian Guan
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Peihong Wu
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hairu Ji
- Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical University, 067000, Chengde, Hebei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Jiang
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Yuan
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Fu
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 NanjingBei Street, Heping District, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qianqian Zheng
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qingchang Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Pathology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 NanjingBei Street, Heping District, 110000, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
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Lin C, Li M, Lin N, Zong J, Pan J, Ye Y. RNF38 suppress growth and metastasis via ubiquitination of ACTN4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:549. [PMID: 35568845 PMCID: PMC9107765 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09641-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulated evidence suggests that RING finger proteins (RNFs) are involved in the carcinogenesis of cancers. However, RNF38, a member of the RNF protein family, has not been studied in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods RNF38 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. Biological functions of RNF38 were evaluated by cell growth, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and invasion assays in vitro. Xenograft growth and lung metastasis models were conducted to investigate the effect of RNF38 in vivo. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, and CHX assay were implemented to detect the interaction among RNF38 and ACTN4. Results RNF38 was significantly downregulated in NPC cells and tissues. Immunohistochemistry implied that loss of RNF38 was an independent prognostic factor for poor outcomes of NPC patients. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that RNF38 inhibited proliferation and metastasis in NPC in vitro and in vivo. Upregulation of RNF38 promoted apoptosis of NPC cells to etoposide but not cisplatin. ACTN4 was upregulated in NPC and negatively correlated with RNF38. Mechanistic investigations suggested that RNF38 inactivates the NF-𝛋B and ERK1/2 signaling pathways by inducing ubiquitination and degradation of ACTN4. RNF38 suppress the development of NPC by interacting with ACTN4. Conclusions RNF38 plays a potential cancer suppressor gene role in NPC tumorigenesis and is a prognostic biomarker in NPC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09641-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
| | - Meifang Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Na Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Jingfeng Zong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Jianji Pan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital & Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Yunbin Ye
- Laboratory of Immuno-Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China. .,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
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