1
|
Kong L, Jin X. Dysregulation of deubiquitination in breast cancer. Gene 2024; 902:148175. [PMID: 38242375 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is a highly frequent malignant tumor that poses a serious threat to women's health and has different molecular subtypes, histological subtypes, and biological features, which act by activating oncogenic factors and suppressing cancer inhibitors. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main process contributing to protein degradation, and deubiquitinases (DUBs) are reverse enzymes that counteract this process. There is growing evidence that dysregulation of DUBs is involved in the occurrence of BC. Herein, we review recent research findings in BC-associated DUBs, describe their nature, classification, and functions, and discuss the potential mechanisms of DUB-related dysregulation in BC. Furthermore, we present the successful treatment of malignant cancer with DUB inhibitors, as well as analyzing the status of targeting aberrant DUBs in BC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mauri S, Bernardo G, Martinez A, Favaro M, Trevisan M, Cobraiville G, Fillet M, Caicci F, Whitworth AJ, Ziviani E. USP8 Down-Regulation Promotes Parkin-Independent Mitophagy in the Drosophila Brain and in Human Neurons. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081143. [PMID: 37190052 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress-induced mitophagy, a tightly regulated process that targets dysfunctional mitochondria for autophagy-dependent degradation, mainly relies on two proteins, PINK1 and Parkin, which genes are mutated in some forms of familiar Parkinson's Disease (PD). Upon mitochondrial damage, the protein kinase PINK1 accumulates on the organelle surface where it controls the recruitment of the E3-ubiquitin ligase Parkin. On mitochondria, Parkin ubiquitinates a subset of mitochondrial-resident proteins located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, leading to the recruitment of downstream cytosolic autophagic adaptors and subsequent autophagosome formation. Importantly, PINK1/Parkin-independent mitophagy pathways also exist that can be counteracted by specific deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Down-regulation of these specific DUBs can presumably enhance basal mitophagy and be beneficial in models in which the accumulation of defective mitochondria is implicated. Among these DUBs, USP8 is an interesting target because of its role in the endosomal pathway and autophagy and its beneficial effects, when inhibited, in models of neurodegeneration. Based on this, we evaluated autophagy and mitophagy levels when USP8 activity is altered. We used genetic approaches in D. melanogaster to measure autophagy and mitophagy in vivo and complementary in vitro approaches to investigate the molecular pathway that regulates mitophagy via USP8. We found an inverse correlation between basal mitophagy and USP8 levels, in that down-regulation of USP8 correlates with increased Parkin-independent mitophagy. These results suggest the existence of a yet uncharacterized mitophagic pathway that is inhibited by USP8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Mauri
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Greta Bernardo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Aitor Martinez
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | | | - Marta Trevisan
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Gael Cobraiville
- Laboratory for the Analysis of Medicines, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Quartier Hopital, University of Liege, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Marianne Fillet
- Laboratory for the Analysis of Medicines, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Quartier Hopital, University of Liege, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Federico Caicci
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Alexander J Whitworth
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Elena Ziviani
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tian Y, Liu K, Liu R, Qiu Z, Xu Y, Wei W, Xu X, Wang J, Ding H, Li Z, Bian J. Discovery of Potent Small-Molecule USP8 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer through Regulating ERα Expression. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8914-8932. [PMID: 35786929 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8), belonging to the deubiquitinase family, has been implicated to be closely related to the occurrence of many malignant tumors, but only a few USP8-targeting inhibitors have been reported to date. In this study, we present virtual screening to discover novel hit candidates that inhibit the catalytic activity of USP8. Exploration of the structure-activity relationship led to the identification of compound DC-U4106, which binds to USP8 with a KD value of 4.7 μM and is selective over USP2 and USP7. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation showed that DC-U4106 could target the ubiquitin pathway and facilitate the degradation of ERα. In a xenograft tumor model, DC-U4106 also significantly inhibited tumor growth with minimal toxicity. Overall, our findings suggest that DC-U4106 is a promising drug candidate and targeting the USP8-ERα complex could be a new approach to treat ER-positive or drug-resistant breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Ruoyi Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Zhixia Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Yifan Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Hong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Material Medical, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| | - Jinlei Bian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amadeo A, Pizzi S, Comincini A, Modena D, Calogero AM, Madaschi L, Faustini G, Rolando C, Bellucci A, Pezzoli G, Mazzetti S, Cappelletti G. The Association between α-Synuclein and α-Tubulin in Brain Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179153. [PMID: 34502063 PMCID: PMC8430732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein is a small protein that is mainly expressed in the synaptic terminals of nervous tissue. Although its implication in neurodegeneration is well established, the physiological role of α-synuclein remains elusive. Given its involvement in the modulation of synaptic transmission and the emerging role of microtubules at the synapse, the current study aimed at investigating whether α-synuclein becomes involved with this cytoskeletal component at the presynapse. We first analyzed the expression of α-synuclein and its colocalization with α-tubulin in murine brain. Differences were found between cortical and striatal/midbrain areas, with substantia nigra pars compacta and corpus striatum showing the lowest levels of colocalization. Using a proximity ligation assay, we revealed the direct interaction of α-synuclein with α-tubulin in murine and in human brain. Finally, the previously unexplored interaction of the two proteins in vivo at the synapse was disclosed in murine striatal presynaptic boutons through multiple approaches, from confocal spinning disk to electron microscopy. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that the association with tubulin/microtubules might actually be an important physiological function for α-synuclein in the synapse, thus suggesting its potential role in a neuropathological context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
| | - Sara Pizzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandro Comincini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Debora Modena
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandra Maria Calogero
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Laura Madaschi
- UNITECH NOLIMITS, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Chiara Rolando
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Berruti G. Destruction or Reconstruction: A Subtle Liaison between the Proteolytic and Signaling Role of Protein Ubiquitination in Spermatogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:215-240. [PMID: 34453739 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is one of the most diverse forms of protein post-translational modification that changes the function of the landscape of substrate proteins in response to stimuli, without the need for "de novo" protein synthesis. Ubiquitination is involved in almost all aspects of eukaryotic cell biology, from the best-studied role in promoting the removal of faulty or unnecessary proteins by the way of the ubiquitin proteasome system and autophagy-lysosome pathway to the recruitment of proteins in specific non-proteolytic signaling pathways, as emerged by the more recent discoveries about the protein signature with peculiar types of ubiquitin chains. Spermatogenesis, on its own, is a complex cellular developmental process in which mitosis, meiosis, and cell differentiation coexist so to result in the continuous formation of haploid spermatozoa. Successful spermatogenesis is thus at the same time a mixed result of the precise expression and correct intracellular destination of structural proteins and enzymes, from one hand, and the fine removal by targeted degradation of unfolded or damaged proteins as well as of obsolete, outlived proteins, from the other hand. In this minireview, I will focus on the importance of the ubiquitin system all over the spermatogenic process, discussing both proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions of protein ubiquitination. Alterations in the ubiquitin system have been in fact implicated in pathologies leading to male infertility. Notwithstanding several aspects of the multifaceted world of the ubiquitin system have been clarified, the physiological meaning of the so-called ubiquitin code remains still partially elusive. The studies reviewed in this chapter provide information that could aid the investigators to pursue new promising discoveries in the understanding of human and animal reproductive potential.
Collapse
|
6
|
von Stockum S, Sanchez-Martinez A, Corrà S, Chakraborty J, Marchesan E, Locatello L, Da Rè C, Cusumano P, Caicci F, Ferrari V, Costa R, Bubacco L, Rasotto MB, Szabo I, Whitworth AJ, Scorrano L, Ziviani E. Inhibition of the deubiquitinase USP8 corrects a Drosophila PINK1 model of mitochondria dysfunction. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/2/e201900392. [PMID: 30988163 PMCID: PMC6467245 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant mitochondrial dynamics disrupts mitochondrial function and contributes to disease conditions. A targeted RNA interference screen for deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) affecting protein levels of multifunctional mitochondrial fusion protein Mitofusin (MFN) identified USP8 prominently influencing MFN levels. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of USP8 normalized the elevated MFN protein levels observed in PINK1 and Parkin-deficient models. This correlated with improved mitochondrial function, locomotor performance and life span, and prevented dopaminergic neurons loss in Drosophila PINK1 KO flies. We identified a novel target antagonizing pathologically elevated MFN levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopaminergic neuron loss of a Drosophila model of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samantha Corrà
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Neurogenetics and Behavior of Drosophila Lab, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | - Lisa Locatello
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Caterina Da Rè
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Neurogenetics and Behavior of Drosophila Lab, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Cusumano
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Neurogenetics and Behavior of Drosophila Lab, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Vanni Ferrari
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Costa
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Neurogenetics and Behavior of Drosophila Lab, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luigi Bubacco
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Ildiko Szabo
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Luca Scorrano
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Dulbecco-Telethon Institute, Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Ziviani
- Fondazione Ospedale San Camillo, IRCCS, Venezia, Italy,Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy,Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dynamic of VE-cadherin-mediated spermatid-Sertoli cell contacts in the mouse seminiferous epithelium. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:173-185. [PMID: 29797291 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1682-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Spermatids are haploid differentiating cells that, in the meantime they differentiate, translocate along the seminiferous epithelium towards the tubule lumen to be just released as spermatozoa. The success of such a migration depends on dynamic of spermatid-Sertoli cell contacts, the molecular nature of which has not been well defined yet. It was demonstrated that the vascular endothelial cadherin (VEC) is expressed transitorily in the mouse seminiferous epithelium. Here, we evaluated the pattern of VEC expression by immunohistochemistry first in seminiferous tubules at different stages of the epithelial cycle when only unique types of germ cell associations are present. Changes in the pattern of VEC localization according to the step of spermatid differentiation were analysed in detail using testis fragments and spontaneously released germ cells. Utilizing the first wave of spermatogenesis as an in vivo model to have at disposal spermatids at progressive steps of differentiation, we checked for level of looser VEC association with the membrane by performing protein solubilisation under mild detergent conditions and assays through VEC-immunoblotting. Being changes in VEC solubilisation paralleled in changes in phosphotyrosine (pY) content, we evaluated if spermatid VEC undergoes Y658 phosphorylation and if this correlates with VEC solubilisation and spermatid progression in differentiation. Altogether, our study shows a temporally restricted pattern of VEC expression that culminates with the presence of round spermatids to progressively decrease starting from spermatid elongation. Conversely, pY658-VEC signs elongating spermatids; its intracellular polarized compartmentalization suggests a possible involvement of pY658-VEC in the acquisition of spermatid cell polarity.
Collapse
|
8
|
Gioria M, Pasini ME, Berruti G. Dynamic of contribution of UBPy-sorted cargo to acrosome biogenesis: effects of its derailment in a mouse model of globozoospermia, the infertile Vps54 (L967Q) mutant. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 369:413-427. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2592-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
9
|
The Histochemistry and Cell Biology pandect: the year 2014 in review. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 143:339-68. [PMID: 25744491 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1313-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review encompasses a brief synopsis of the articles published in 2014 in Histochemistry and Cell Biology. Out of the total of 12 issues published in 2014, two special issues were devoted to "Single-Molecule Super-Resolution Microscopy." The present review is divided into 11 categories, providing an easy format for readers to quickly peruse topics of particular interest to them.
Collapse
|