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Du Y, Yang Z, Shi H, Chen Z, Chen R, Zhou F, Peng X, Hong T, Jiang L. E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR5 promotes gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer by inducing O-GlcNAcylation-mediated EMT via destabilization of OGA. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:340. [PMID: 38755129 PMCID: PMC11099055 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06729-z] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the deadliest malignancies, with an extremely poor diagnosis and prognosis. Gemcitabine (GEM) remains the first-line drug for treating PC; however, only a small percentage of patients benefit from current immunotherapies or targeted therapies. Resistance to GEM is prevalent and affects long-term survival. We found that ubiquitin-protein ligase E3 module N-recognition 5 (UBR5) is a therapeutic target against GEM resistance. UBR5 was markedly upregulated in clinical GEM-resistant PC samples and GEM-resistant PC cells. UBR5 knockdown markedly increased GEM sensitivity in GEM-resistant PC cell lines. UBR5-mediated GEM resistance was accompanied by activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and could be mitigated by inhibiting EMT. Further analysis revealed that UBR5 promoted GEM resistance in PC cells by enhancing O-GlcNAcylation-mediated EMT. In addition, UBR5 knockdown resulted in increased O-GlcNAase (OGA) levels, an essential negatively regulated enzyme in the O-GlcNAcylation process. We identified a negative association between OGA and UBR5 levels, which further supported the hypothesis that O-GlcNAcylation-mediated GEM resistance induced by UBR5 is OGA-dependent in PC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that UBR5 acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase of OGA and regulates O-GlcNAcylation by binding and modulating OGA, facilitating its degradation and ubiquitination. Additionally, high-throughput compound library screening using three-dimensional protein structure analysis and drug screening identified a Food and Drug Administration drug, Y-39983 dihydrochloride, as a potent GEM sensitiser and UBR5 inhibitor. The combination of Y-39983 dihydrochloride and GEM attenuated tumour growth in a mouse xenograft tumour model. Collectively, these data demonstrated that UBR5 plays a pivotal role in the sensitisation of PC to GEM and provides a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome GEM resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Du
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Zhangjian Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Hao Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Zhihan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xiaogang Peng
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Tao Hong
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Liping Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targets and Drug Screening of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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2
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Hu B, Chen S. The role of UBR5 in tumor proliferation and oncotherapy. Gene 2024; 906:148258. [PMID: 38331119 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148258] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitin (Ub) protein ligase E3 component n-recognin 5 (UBR5), as a crucial Ub ligase, plays a pivotal role in the field of cell biology, attracting significant attention for its functions in regulating protein degradation and signaling pathways. This review delves into the fundamental characteristics and structure of UBR5. UBR5, through ubiquitination, regulates various key proteins, directly or indirectly participating in cell cycle control, thereby exerting a direct impact on the proliferation of tumor cells. Meanwhile, we comprehensively review the expression levels of UBR5 in different types of tumors and its relationship with tumor development, providing key clues for the role of UBR5 in cancer. Furthermore, we summarize the current research status of UBR5 in cancer treatment. Through literature review, we find that UBR5 may play a crucial role in the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy chemotherapy, and other anti-tumor treatment, providing new insights for optimizing cancer treatment strategies. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced by UBR5 in cancer treatment, and looks forward to the future research directions. With the continuous breakthroughs in technology and in-depth research, we hope to further study the biological functions of UBR5 and lay the foundation for its anti-tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Hu
- Department of Geriatrics, Beilun District People's Hospital, Ningbo 315800, China
| | - Shiyuan Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, Beilun District People's Hospital, Ningbo 315800, China.
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3
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Han D, Wang L, Jiang S, Yang Q. The ubiquitin-proteasome system in breast cancer. Trends Mol Med 2023:S1471-4914(23)00096-5. [PMID: 37328395 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a selective proteolytic system that is associated with the expression or function of target proteins and participates in various physiological and pathological processes of breast cancer. Inhibitors targeting the 26S proteasome in combination with other drugs have shown promising therapeutic effects in the clinical treatment of breast cancer. Moreover, several inhibitors/stimulators targeting other UPS components are also effective in preclinical studies, but have not yet been applied in the clinical treatment of breast cancer. Therefore, it is vital to comprehensively understand the functions of ubiquitination in breast cancer and to identify potential tumor promoters or tumor suppressors among UPS family members, with the aim of developing more effective and specific inhibitors/stimulators targeting specific components of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianwen Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; Research Institute of Breast Cancer, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
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4
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Wang F, He Q, Zhan W, Yu Z, Finkin-Groner E, Ma X, Lin G, Li H. Structure of the human UBR5 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Structure 2023; 31:541-552.e4. [PMID: 37040767 PMCID: PMC10403316 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The human UBR5 is a single polypeptide chain homology to E6AP C terminus (HECT)-type E3 ubiquitin ligase essential for embryonic development in mammals. Dysregulated UBR5 functions like an oncoprotein to promote cancer growth and metastasis. Here, we report that UBR5 assembles into a dimer and a tetramer. Our cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures reveal that two crescent-shaped UBR5 monomers assemble head to tail to form the dimer, and two dimers bind face to face to form the cage-like tetramer with all four catalytic HECT domains facing the central cavity. Importantly, the N-terminal region of one subunit and the HECT of the other form an "intermolecular jaw" in the dimer. We show the jaw-lining residues are important for function, suggesting that the intermolecular jaw functions to recruit ubiquitin-loaded E2 to UBR5. Further work is needed to understand how oligomerization regulates UBR5 ligase activity. This work provides a framework for structure-based anticancer drug development and contributes to a growing appreciation of E3 ligase diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Qing He
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Wenhu Zhan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ziqi Yu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Efrat Finkin-Groner
- Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute, 413 E. 69th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gang Lin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Huilin Li
- Department of Structural Biology, Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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5
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Ge Y, Zhan Z, Ye M, Jin X. The crosstalk between ubiquitination and endocrine therapy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:461-486. [PMID: 36961537 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02300-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET), also known as hormone therapy, refers to the treatment of tumors by regulating and changing the endocrine environment and hormone levels. Its related mechanism is mainly through reducing hormone levels and blocking the binding of hormones to corresponding receptors, thus blocking the signal transduction pathway to stimulate tumor growth. However, with the application of ET, some patients show resistance to ET, which is attributed to abnormal accumulation of hormone receptors (HRs) and the production of multiple mutants of HRs. The targeted degradation of abnormal accumulation protein mediated by ubiquitination is an important approach that regulates the protein level and function of intracellular proteins in eukaryotes. Here, we provide a brief description of the traditional and novel drugs available for ET in this review. Then, we introduce the link between ubiquitination and ET. In the end, we elaborate the clinical application of ET combined with ubiquitination-related molecules. KEY MESSAGES: • A brief description of the traditional and novel drugs available for endocrine therapy (ET). • The link between ubiquitination and ET. • The clinical application of ET combined with ubiquitination-related molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Ge
- The Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315010, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Ziqing Zhan
- The Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315010, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China
| | - Meng Ye
- The Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315010, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- The Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315010, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
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Bahramy A, Zafari N, Rajabi F, Aghakhani A, Jayedi A, Khaboushan AS, Zolbin MM, Yekaninejad MS. Prognostic and diagnostic values of non-coding RNAs as biomarkers for breast cancer: An umbrella review and pan-cancer analysis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1096524. [PMID: 36726376 PMCID: PMC9885171 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1096524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. The incidence and morbidity of BC are expected to rise rapidly. The stage at which BC is diagnosed has a significant impact on clinical outcomes. When detected early, an overall 5-year survival rate of up to 90% is possible. Although numerous studies have been conducted to assess the prognostic and diagnostic values of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in breast cancer, their overall potential remains unclear. In this field of study, there are various systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies that report volumes of data. In this study, we tried to collect all these systematic reviews and meta-analysis studies in order to re-analyze their data without any restriction to breast cancer or non-coding RNA type, to make it as comprehensive as possible. Methods: Three databases, namely, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS), were searched to find any relevant meta-analysis studies. After thoroughly searching, the screening of titles, abstracts, and full-text and the quality of all included studies were assessed using the AMSTAR tool. All the required data including hazard ratios (HRs), sensitivity (SENS), and specificity (SPEC) were extracted for further analysis, and all analyses were carried out using Stata. Results: In the prognostic part, our initial search of three databases produced 10,548 articles, of which 58 studies were included in the current study. We assessed the correlation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression with different survival outcomes in breast cancer patients: overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.521), disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.33), recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 1.66), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.71), metastasis-free survival (MFS) (HR = 0.90), and disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR = 0.37). After eliminating low-quality studies, the results did not change significantly. In the diagnostic part, 22 articles and 30 datasets were retrieved from 8,453 articles. The quality of all studies was determined. The bivariate and random-effects models were used to assess the diagnostic value of ncRNAs. The overall area under the curve (AUC) of ncRNAs in differentiated patients is 0.88 (SENS: 80% and SPEC: 82%). There was no difference in the potential of single and combined ncRNAs in differentiated BC patients. However, the overall potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) is higher than that of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). No evidence of publication bias was found in the current study. Nine miRNAs, four lncRNAs, and five gene targets showed significant OS and RFS between normal and cancer patients based on pan-cancer data analysis, demonstrating their potential prognostic value. Conclusion: The present umbrella review showed that ncRNAs, including lncRNAs and miRNAs, can be used as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients, regardless of the sample sources, ethnicity of patients, and subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Bahramy
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Zafari
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rajabi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Aghakhani
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Jayedi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Alireza Soltani Khaboushan
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin
- Pediatric Urology and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Gene, Cell and Tissue Research Institute, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Mir Saeed Yekaninejad, , ; Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin, ,
| | - Mir Saeed Yekaninejad
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Mir Saeed Yekaninejad, , ; Masoumeh Majidi Zolbin, ,
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7
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Wu Q, Liu L, Feng Y, Wang L, Liu X, Li Y. UBR5 promotes migration and invasion of glioma cells by regulating the ECRG4/NF-κB pathway. J Biosci 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-022-00280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Han D, Wang L, Long L, Su P, Luo D, Zhang H, Li Z, Chen B, Zhao W, Zhang N, Wang X, Liang Y, Li Y, Hu G, Yang Q. The E3 Ligase TRIM4 Facilitates SET Ubiquitin-Mediated Degradation to Enhance ER-α Action in Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2201701. [PMID: 35843886 PMCID: PMC9443474 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202201701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) action is critical for hormone-dependent breast cancer, and ER-α dysregulation can lead to the emergence of resistance to endocrine therapy. Here, it is found that TRIM4 is downregulated in tamoxifen (TAM)-resistant breast cancer cells, while the loss of TRIM4 is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirm that TRIM4 increased ER-α expression and the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to TAM. Mechanistically, TRIM4 is found to target SET, and TRIM4-SET interactions are mediated by the RING and B-box domains of TRIM4 and the carboxyl terminus of SET. Moreover, it is determined that TRIM4 catalyzed the K48-linked polyubiquitination of SET (K150 and K172), promoting its proteasomal degradation and disassociation from p53 and PP2A. Once released, p53 and PP2A are able to further promote ESR1 gene transcription and enhance mRNA stability. Moreover, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses confirm that TRIM4 expression is an independent predictor of overall survival and recurrence-free survival outcomes in patients with ER-α positive breast cancer. Taken together, the data highlights a previously undiscovered mechanism and suggest that TRIM4 is a valuable biomarker that can be analyzed to predict response to endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianwen Han
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Pathology Tissue BankQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Li Long
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
- Mianyang Central HospitalSchool of MedicineUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaMianyangSichuan621000China
| | - Peng Su
- Department of PathologyQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Hanwen Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Bing Chen
- Pathology Tissue BankQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Pathology Tissue BankQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Yiran Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Yaming Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
| | - Guohong Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell BiologyInstitute of Health SciencesShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences & Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200233China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, General SurgeryQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
- Pathology Tissue BankQilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
- Research Institute of Breast CancerShandong UniversityJinanShandong250012China
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9
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Xiang G, Wang S, Chen L, Song M, Song X, Wang H, Zhou P, Ma X, Yu J. UBR5 targets tumor suppressor CDC73 proteolytically to promote aggressive breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:451. [PMID: 35551175 PMCID: PMC9098409 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04914-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UBR5, a HECT-domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, is an attractive therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancers. Defining the substrates of UBR5 is crucial for scientific understanding and clinical intervention. Here, we demonstrate that CDC73, a component of the RNA polymerase II-associated factor 1 complex, is a key substrate that impedes UBR5's profound tumorigenic and metastatic activities in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) via mechanisms of regulating the expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin, tumor cell apoptosis and CD8+ T cell infiltration. Expression of CDC73 is also negatively associated with the progression of breast cancer patients. Moreover, we show that UBR5 destabilizes CDC73 by polyubiquitination at Lys243, Lys247, and Lys257 in a non-canonical manner that is dependent on the non-phosphorylation state of CDC73 at Ser465. CDC73 could serve as a molecular switch to modulate UBR5's pro-tumor activities and may provide a potential approach to developing breast cancer therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xiang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shuxuan Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Mei Song
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Xiaoxu Song
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Pengbo Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Jing Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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10
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Li J, Zhang W, Gao J, Du M, Li H, Li M, Cong H, Fang Y, Liang Y, Zhao D, Xiang G, Ma X, Yao M, Tu H, Gan Y. E3 Ubiquitin Ligase UBR5 Promotes the Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer via Destabilizing F-Actin Capping Protein CAPZA1. Front Oncol 2021; 11:634167. [PMID: 33777788 PMCID: PMC7994773 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.634167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a regulated mechanism of intracellular protein degradation and turnover, and its dysfunction is associated with various diseases including cancer. UBR5, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is emerging as an important regulator of the UPS in cancers, but its role in pancreatic cancer is poorly understood. Here, we show that UBR5 is significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues. High UBR5 expression is correlated with increased lymph node metastasis and poor survival of patients. The loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies demonstrated that UBR5 substantially enhanced the in vitro migratory and invasive ability of pancreatic cancer cells. UBR5 knockdown also markedly inhibited in vivo cancer metastasis in the liver metastatic model of pancreatic cancer in nude mice, suggesting UBR5 as a potent metastatic promoter in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, using co-immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analyses, CAPZA1, a member of F-actin capping protein α subunit family, was identified as a novel substrate of UBR5. UBR5 overexpression could promote the degradation of CAPZA1 via the UPS and induce the accumulation of F-actin, which has been described as an essential molecular event during the process of CAPZA1 deficiency-induced cancer cells migration and invasion. UBR5 knockdown significantly increased the intracellular level of CAPZA1 and CAPZA1 downregulation largely reversed the UBR5 knockdown-induced suppression of cell migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells. Collectively, our findings unveil UBR5 as a novel and critical regulator of pancreatic cancer metastasis and highlight the potential for UBR5-CAPZA1 axis as a therapeutic target for preventing metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients, especially in those with increased UBR5 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huimin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengge Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yiyi Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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