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Riley AK, Grant M, Snell A, Cromwell E, Vichas A, Moorthi S, Rominger C, Modukuri SP, Urisman A, Castel P, Wan L, Berger AH. The deubiquitinase USP9X regulates RIT1 protein abundance and oncogenic phenotypes. iScience 2024; 27:110499. [PMID: 39161959 PMCID: PMC11332844 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
RIT1 is a rare and understudied oncogene in lung cancer. Despite structural similarity to other RAS GTPase proteins such as KRAS, oncogenic RIT1 activity does not appear to be tightly regulated by nucleotide exchange or hydrolysis. Instead, there is a growing understanding that the protein abundance of RIT1 is important for its regulation and function. We previously identified the deubiquitinase USP9X as a RIT1 dependency in RIT1-mutant cells. Here, we demonstrate that both wild-type and mutant forms of RIT1 are substrates of USP9X. Depletion of USP9X leads to decreased RIT1 protein stability and abundance and resensitizes cells to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Our work expands upon the current understanding of RIT1 protein regulation and presents USP9X as a key regulator of RIT1-driven oncogenic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Riley
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Grant
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Aidan Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Cromwell
- Preclinical Modeling Shared Resource, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Athea Vichas
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sitapriya Moorthi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Callie Rominger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shrikar P. Modukuri
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alice H. Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Herbold Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Xu W, Zhang Y, Su Y, Li L, Yang X, Wang L, Gao H. USP9X regulates the proliferation, survival, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by stabilizing MTH1. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:239. [PMID: 39075342 PMCID: PMC11288101 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) sanitizes oxidized dNTP pools to promote the survival of cancer cells and its expression is frequently upregulated in cancers. Polyubiquitination stabilizes MTH1 to facilitate the proliferation of melanoma cells, suggesting the ubiquitin system controls the stability and function of MTH1. However, whether ubiquitination regulates MTH1 in gastric cancers has not been well defined. This study aims to investigate the interaction between MTH1 and a deubiquitinase, USP9X, in regulating the proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. METHODS The interaction between USP9X and MTH1 was evaluated by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) in HGC-27 gastric cancer cells. siRNAs were used to interfere with USP9X expression in gastric cancer cell lines HGC-27 and MKN-45. MTT assays were carried out to examine the proliferation, propidium iodide (PI) and 7-AAD staining assays were performed to assess the cell cycle, Annexin V/PI staining assays were conducted to examine the apoptosis, and transwell assays were used to determine the migration and invasion of control, USP9X-deficient, and USP9X-deficient plus MTH1-overexpressing HGC-27 and MKN-45 gastric cancer cells. RESULTS Co-IP data show that USP9X interacts with and deubiquitinates MTH1. Overexpression of USP9X elevates MTH1 protein level by downregulating its ubiquitination, while knockdown of USP9X has the opposite effect on MTH1. USP9X deficiency in HGC-27 and MKN-45 cells causes decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest, extra apoptosis, and defective migration and invasion, which could be rescued by excessive MTH1. CONCLUSION USP9X interacts with and stabilizes MTH1 to promote the proliferation, survival, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenji Xu
- Digestive System Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Yaping Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 34, Zhongshan North Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Yingrui Su
- Nuclear Medicine Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Libin Li
- Digestive System Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Xinxia Yang
- Digestive System Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Lixing Wang
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 34, Zhongshan North Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, 362000, China.
| | - Hongzhi Gao
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 34, Zhongshan North Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou, 362000, China.
- Neurosurgery Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, 362000, China.
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Hao B, Chen K, Zhai L, Liu M, Liu B, Tan M. Substrate and Functional Diversity of Protein Lysine Post-translational Modifications. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 22:qzae019. [PMID: 38862432 DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Lysine post-translational modifications (PTMs) are widespread and versatile protein PTMs that are involved in diverse biological processes by regulating the fundamental functions of histone and non-histone proteins. Dysregulation of lysine PTMs is implicated in many diseases, and targeting lysine PTM regulatory factors, including writers, erasers, and readers, has become an effective strategy for disease therapy. The continuing development of mass spectrometry (MS) technologies coupled with antibody-based affinity enrichment technologies greatly promotes the discovery and decoding of PTMs. The global characterization of lysine PTMs is crucial for deciphering the regulatory networks, molecular functions, and mechanisms of action of lysine PTMs. In this review, we focus on lysine PTMs, and provide a summary of the regulatory enzymes of diverse lysine PTMs and the proteomics advances in lysine PTMs by MS technologies. We also discuss the types and biological functions of lysine PTM crosstalks on histone and non-histone proteins and current druggable targets of lysine PTM regulatory factors for disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Kaifeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Linhui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Muyin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China
| | - Minjia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, China
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4
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Gao H, Chen Z, Zhao L, Ji C, Xing F. Cellular functions, molecular signalings and therapeutic applications: Translational potential of deubiquitylating enzyme USP9X as a drug target in cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189099. [PMID: 38582329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189099] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination, one of the most significant post-translational modifications, plays an important role in controlling the proteins activity in diverse cellular processes. The reversible process of protein ubiquitination, known as deubiquitination, has emerged as a critical mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis. The deubiquitinases (DUBs), which participate in deubiquitination process are increasingly recognized as potential candidates for drug discovery. Among these DUBs, ubiquitin-specific protease 9× (USP9X), a highly conserved member of the USP family, exhibits versatile functions in various cellular processes, including the regulation of cell cycle, protein endocytosis, apoptosis, cell polarity, immunological microenvironment, and stem cell characteristics. The dysregulation and abnormal activities of USP9X are influenced by intricate cellular signaling pathway crosstalk and upstream non-coding RNAs. The complex expression patterns and controversial clinical significance of USP9X in cancers suggest its potential as a prognostic biomarker. Furthermore, USP9X inhibitors has shown promising antitumor activity and holds the potential to overcome therapeutic resistance in preclinical models. However, a comprehensive summary of the role and molecular functions of USP9X in cancer progression is currently lacking. In this review, we provide a comprehensive delineation of USP9X participation in numerous critical cellular processes, complicated signaling pathways within the tumor microenvironment, and its potential translational applications to combat therapeutic resistance. By systematically summarizing the updated molecular mechanisms of USP9X in cancer biology, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of cancer therapeutics and provide essential insights for specialists and clinicians in the development of improved cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Gao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Zhiguang Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Ce Ji
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
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5
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Luchtel RA. ETS1 Function in Leukemia and Lymphoma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1459:359-378. [PMID: 39017852 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-62731-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1) is a transcription factor (TF) critically involved in lymphoid cell development and function. ETS1 expression is tightly regulated throughout differentiation and activation in T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and B-cells. It has also been described as an oncogene in a range of solid and hematologic cancer types. Among hematologic malignancies, its role has been best studied in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Aberrant expression of ETS1 in these malignancies is driven primarily by chromosomal amplification and enhancer-driven transcriptional regulation, promoting the ETS1 transcriptional program. ETS1 also facilitates aberrantly expressed or activated transcriptional complexes to drive oncogenic pathways. Collectively, ETS1 functions to regulate cell growth, differentiation, signaling, response to stimuli, and viral interactions in these malignancies. A tumor suppressor role has also been indicated for ETS1 in select lymphoma types, emphasizing the importance of cellular context in ETS1 function. Research is ongoing to further characterize the clinical implications of ETS1 dysregulation in hematologic malignancies, to further resolve binding complexes and transcriptional targets, and to identify effective therapeutic targeting approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Luchtel
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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6
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Riley AK, Grant M, Snell A, Vichas A, Moorthi S, Urisman A, Castel P, Wan L, Berger AH. The deubiquitinase USP9X regulates RIT1 protein abundance and oncogenic phenotypes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569313. [PMID: 38077017 PMCID: PMC10705424 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
RIT1 is a rare and understudied oncogene in lung cancer. Despite structural similarity to other RAS GTPase proteins such as KRAS, oncogenic RIT1 activity does not appear to be tightly regulated by nucleotide exchange or hydrolysis. Instead, there is a growing understanding that the protein abundance of RIT1 is important for its regulation and function. We previously identified the deubiquitinase USP9X as a RIT1 dependency in RIT1-mutant cells. Here, we demonstrate that both wild-type and mutant forms of RIT1 are substrates of USP9X. Depletion of USP9X leads to decreased RIT1 protein stability and abundance and resensitizes cells to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Our work expands upon the current understanding of RIT1 protein regulation and presents USP9X as a key regulator of RIT1-driven oncogenic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Riley
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael Grant
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Aidan Snell
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Athea Vichas
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sitapriya Moorthi
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pau Castel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lixin Wan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Molecular Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alice H. Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Herbold Computational Biology Program, Public Health Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Lead contact:
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7
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Meng Y, Hong C, Yang S, Qin Z, Yang L, Huang Y. Roles of USP9X in cellular functions and tumorigenesis (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 26:506. [PMID: 37920433 PMCID: PMC10618932 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9X (USP9X) is involved in certain human diseases, including malignancies, atherosclerosis and certain diseases of the nervous system. USP9X promotes the deubiquitination and stabilization of diverse substrates, thereby exerting a versatile range of effects on pathological and physiological processes. USP9X serves vital roles in the processes of cell survival, invasion and migration in various types of cancer. The present review aims to highlight the current knowledge of USP9X in terms of its structure and the possible mediatory mechanisms involved in certain types of cancer, providing a thorough introduction to its biological functions in carcinogenesis and further outlining its oncogenic or suppressive properties in a diverse range of cancer types. Finally, several perspectives regarding USP9X-targeted pharmacological therapeutics in cancer development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Meng
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Chaojin Hong
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Sifu Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Zhiquan Qin
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Liu Yang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
| | - Yumei Huang
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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8
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Choi Y, Lee Y, Kim JS, Zhang P, Kim J. USP39-Mediated Non-Proteolytic Control of ETS2 Suppresses Nuclear Localization and Activity. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1475. [PMID: 37892157 PMCID: PMC10604658 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101475] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
ETS2 is a member of the ETS family of transcription factors and has been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. The aberrant activation of ETS2 is associated with various human cancers, highlighting its importance as a therapeutic target. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms and interacting partners of ETS2 is crucial for elucidating its precise role in cellular processes and developing novel strategies to modulate its activity. In this study, we conducted binding assays using a human deubiquitinase (DUB) library and identified USP39 as a novel ETS2-binding DUB. USP39 interacts with ETS2 through their respective amino-terminal regions, and the zinc finger and PNT domains are not required for this binding. USP39 deubiquitinates ETS2 without affecting its protein stability. Interestingly, however, USP39 significantly suppresses the transcriptional activity of ETS2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that USP39 leads to a reduction in the nuclear localization of ETS2. Our findings provide valuable insights into the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing ETS2 function. Understanding the interplay between USP39 and ETS2 may have implications for therapeutic interventions targeting ETS2-related diseases, including cancer, where the dysregulation of ETS2 is frequently observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsik Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuri Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Seo Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Peijing Zhang
- Department of Biological Pharmaceutics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jongchan Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
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9
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Gao H, Yin J, Ji C, Yu X, Xue J, Guan X, Zhang S, Liu X, Xing F. Targeting ubiquitin specific proteases (USPs) in cancer immunotherapy: from basic research to preclinical application. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:225. [PMID: 37658402 PMCID: PMC10472646 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02805-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors have evolved in various mechanisms to evade the immune system, hindering the antitumor immune response and facilitating tumor progression. Immunotherapy has become a potential treatment strategy specific to different cancer types by utilizing multifarious molecular mechanisms to enhance the immune response against tumors. Among these mechanisms, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a significant non-lysosomal pathway specific to protein degradation, regulated by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that counterbalance ubiquitin signaling. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), the largest DUB family with the strongest variety, play critical roles in modulating immune cell function, regulating immune response, and participating in antigen processing and presentation during tumor progression. According to recent studies, the expressions of some USP family members in tumor cells are involved in tumor immune escape and immune microenvironment. This review explores the potential of targeting USPs as a new approach for cancer immunotherapy, highlighting recent basic and preclinical studies investigating the applications of USP inhibitors. By providing insights into the structure and function of USPs in cancer immunity, this review aims at assisting in developing new therapeutic approaches for enhancing the immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Gao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Jianqiao Yin
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Ce Ji
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Xiaopeng Yu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Jinqi Xue
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Xun Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Fei Xing
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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10
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Feng C, Zhang L, Chang X, Qin D, Zhang T. Regulation of post-translational modification of PD-L1 and advances in tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1230135. [PMID: 37554324 PMCID: PMC10405826 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1230135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint molecules programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are one of the most promising targets for tumor immunotherapy. PD-L1 is overexpressed on the surface of tumor cells and inhibits T cell activation upon binding to PD⁃1 on the surface of T cells, resulting in tumor immune escape. The therapeutic strategy of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 involves blocking this binding and restoring the tumor-killing effect of immune cells. However, in clinical settings, a relatively low proportion of cancer patients have responded well to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, and clinical outcomes have reached a bottleneck and no substantial progress has been made. In recent years, PD-L1 post-translation modifications (PTMs) have gradually become a hot topic in the field of PD-L1 research, which will provide new insights to improve the efficacy of current anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Here, we summarized and discussed multiple PTMs of PD-L1, including glycosylation, ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation and palmitoylation, with a major emphasis on mechanism-based therapeutic strategies (including relevant enzymes and targets that are already in clinical use and that may become drugs in the future). We also summarized the latest research progress of PTMs of PD-L1/PD-1 in regulating immunotherapy. The review provided novel strategies and directions for tumor immunotherapy research based on the PTMs of PD-L1/PD-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Feng
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lening Zhang
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Chang
- Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dongliang Qin
- Thoracic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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11
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Kearly A, Ottens K, Battaglia MC, Satterthwaite AB, Garrett-Sinha LA. B Cell Activation Results in IKK-Dependent, but Not c-Rel- or RelA-Dependent, Decreases in Transcription of the B Cell Tolerance-Inducing Gene Ets1. Immunohorizons 2022; 6:779-789. [PMID: 36445360 PMCID: PMC10069408 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ets1 is a key transcription factor in B cells that is required to prevent premature differentiation into Ab-secreting cells. Previously, we showed that BCR and TLR signaling downregulate Ets1 levels and that the kinases PI3K, Btk, IKK, and JNK are required for this process. PI3K is important in activating Btk by generating the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate, to which Btk binds via its PH domain. Btk in turn is important in activating the IKK kinase pathway, which it does by activating phospholipase Cγ2→protein kinase Cβ signaling. In this study, we have further investigated the pathways regulating Ets1 in mouse B cells. Although IKK is well known for its role in activating the canonical NF-κB pathway, IKK-mediated downregulation of Ets1 does not require either RelA or c-Rel. We also examined the potential roles of two other IKK targets that are not part of the NF-κB signaling pathway, Foxo3a and mTORC2, in regulating Ets1. We find that loss of Foxo3a or inhibition of mTORC2 does not block BCR-induced Ets1 downregulation. Therefore, these two pathways are not key IKK targets, implicating other as yet undefined IKK targets to play a role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Kearly
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; and
| | - Kristina Ottens
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Michael C Battaglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; and
| | - Anne B Satterthwaite
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Lee Ann Garrett-Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; and
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12
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Phosphorylation-mediated interaction between human E26 transcription factor 1 and specific protein 1 is required for tumor cell migration. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 54:1441-1452. [PMID: 36305724 PMCID: PMC9828152 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022148] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors, human E26 transcription factor 1 (Ets1) and specific protein 1 (Sp1), are known to induce gene expression in tumorigenicity. High Ets1 expression is often associated with colorectal tumorigenesis. In this study, we discover that metastasis and clone formation in SW480 cells mainly depend on the direct interaction between Ets1 and Sp1 instead of high Ets1 expression. The interaction domains are further addressed to be the segment at Sp1(626-708) and the segment at Ets1(244-331). In addition, the phosphorylation inhibition of Ets1 at Tyr283 by either downregulation of Src kinase or Src family inhibitor treatment decreases the interaction between Sp1 and Ets1 and suppresses SW480 migration. Either administration or overexpression of the peptides harboring the interaction segment strongly inhibits the colony formation and migration of SW480 cells. Our findings suggest that the interaction between Ets1 and Sp1 rather than Ets1 alone promotes transformation in SW480 cells and provide new insight into the Ets1 and Sp1 interaction as an antitumour target in SW480 cells.
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13
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Ohanna M, Biber P, Deckert M. Emerging Role of Deubiquitinating Enzymes (DUBs) in Melanoma Pathogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3371. [PMID: 35884430 PMCID: PMC9322030 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancer. Therapies targeting the BRAF oncogenic pathway and immunotherapies show remarkable clinical efficacy. However, these treatments are limited to subgroups of patients and relapse is common. Overall, the majority of patients require additional treatments, justifying the development of new therapeutic strategies. Non-genetic and genetic alterations are considered to be important drivers of cellular adaptation mechanisms to current therapies and disease relapse. Importantly, modification of the overall proteome in response to non-genetic and genetic events supports major cellular changes that are required for the survival, proliferation, and migration of melanoma cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these adaptive responses remain to be investigated. The major contributor to proteome remodeling involves the ubiquitin pathway, ubiquitinating enzymes, and ubiquitin-specific proteases also known as DeUBiquitinases (DUBs). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nature and roles of the DUBs recently identified in melanoma progression and therapeutic resistance and discuss their potential as novel sources of vulnerability for melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Ohanna
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, C3M, 06204 Nice, France; (P.B.); (M.D.)
- Team MicroCan, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Pierric Biber
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, C3M, 06204 Nice, France; (P.B.); (M.D.)
- Team MicroCan, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 06204 Nice, France
| | - Marcel Deckert
- Université Côte d’Azur, INSERM, C3M, 06204 Nice, France; (P.B.); (M.D.)
- Team MicroCan, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 06204 Nice, France
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14
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Vishnoi K, Ke R, Viswakarma N, Srivastava P, Kumar S, Das S, Singh SK, Principe DR, Rana A, Rana B. Ets1 mediates sorafenib resistance by regulating mitochondrial ROS pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:581. [PMID: 35789155 PMCID: PMC9253325 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05022-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are on a rise in the Western countries including US, attributed mostly to late detection. Sorafenib has been the first-line FDA-approved drug for advanced unresectable HCC for almost a decade, but with limited efficacy due to the development of resistance. More recently, several other multi-kinase inhibitors (lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib), human monoclonal antibody (ramucirumab), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) have been approved as systemic therapies. Despite this, the median survival of patients is not significantly increased. Understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) that govern HCC resistance is critically needed to increase efficacy of current drugs and to develop more efficacious ones in the future. Our studies with sorafenib-resistant (soraR) HCC cells using transcription factor RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays revealed an increase in E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1) transcription factor in all soraR cells. HCC TMA studies showed an increase in Ets-1 expression in advanced HCC compared to the normal livers. Overexpression or knocking down Ets-1 modulated sorafenib resistance-related epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and cell survival. In addition, the soraR cells showed a significant reduction of mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) generation, which were antagonized by knocking down Ets-1 expression. More in-depth analysis identified GPX-2 as a downstream mediator of Ets-1-induced sorafenib resistance, which was down-regulated by Ets-1 knockdown while other antioxidant pathway genes were not affected. Interestingly, knocking down GPX2 expression significantly increased sorafenib sensitivity in the soraR cells. Our studies indicate the activation of a novel Ets-1-GPX2 signaling axis in soraR cells, targeting which might successfully antagonize resistance and increase efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Vishnoi
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Rong Ke
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Navin Viswakarma
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Piush Srivastava
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Subhasis Das
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Sunil Kumar Singh
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Daniel R. Principe
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.280892.90000 0004 0419 4711Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.280892.90000 0004 0419 4711Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
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15
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Ding P, Ma Z, Fan Y, Feng Y, Shao C, Pan M, Zhang Y, Huang D, Han J, Hu Y, Yan X. Emerging role of ubiquitination/deubiquitination modification of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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16
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Lai MC, Chen YP, Li DA, Yu JS, Hung HY, Tarn WY. DDX3 interacts with USP9X and participates in deubiquitination of the anti-apoptotic protein MCL1. FEBS J 2021; 289:1043-1061. [PMID: 34606682 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Here, we describe a novel interaction between the RNA helicase DDX3 and the deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9 X-linked (USP9X) in human cells. Domain mapping studies reveal that the C-terminal region of DDX3 interacted with the N terminus of USP9X. USP9X was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm where the interaction between DDX3 and USP9X occurred. USP9X was not visibly enriched in cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs) under oxidative stress conditions, whereas overexpression of GFP-DDX3 induced SG formation and recruited USP9X to SGs in HeLa cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that depletion of USP9X had no significant effect on DDX3-mediated translation. Given that DDX3 is not ubiquitinated upon ubiquitin overexpression, it is unlikely that DDX3 serves as a substrate of USP9X. Importantly, we found that ubiquitinated MCL1 was accumulated upon depletion of USP9X and/or DDX3 in MG132-treated cells, suggesting that USP9X and DDX3 play a role in regulating MCL1 protein stability and anti-apoptotic function. This study indicates that DDX3 exerts anti-apoptotic effects probably by coordinating with USP9X in promoting MCL1 deubiquitination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chih Lai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ding-An Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Song Yu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yuan Hung
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Woan-Yuh Tarn
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Therapeutic inhibition of USP9x-mediated Notch signaling in triple-negative breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2101592118. [PMID: 34518219 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101592118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast cancer subtype that lacks targeted treatment options. The activation of the Notch developmental signaling pathway, which is a feature of TNBC, results in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and the recruitment of protumoral macrophages to the tumor microenvironment. While the Notch pathway is an obvious therapeutic target, its activity is ubiquitous, and predictably, anti-Notch therapies are burdened with significant on-target side effects. Previously, we discovered that, under conditions of cellular stress commonly found in the tumor microenvironment, the deubiquitinase USP9x forms a multiprotein complex with the pseudokinase tribbles homolog 3 (TRB3) that together activate the Notch pathway. Herein, we provide preclinical studies that support the potential of therapeutic USP9x inhibition to deactivate Notch. Using a murine TNBC model, we show that USP9x knockdown abrogates Notch activation, reducing the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Concomitant with these molecular changes, a reduction in tumor inflammation, the augmentation of antitumor immune response, and the suppression of tumor growth were observed. The pharmacological inhibition of USP9x using G9, a partially selective, small-molecule USP9x inhibitor, reduced Notch activity, remodeled the tumor immune landscape, and reduced tumor growth without associated toxicity. Proving the role of Notch, the ectopic expression of the activated Notch1 intracellular domain rescued G9-induced effects. This work supports the potential of USP9x inhibition to target Notch in metabolically vulnerable tissues like TNBC, while sparing normal Notch-dependent tissues.
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18
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Global Proteome Profiling to Assess Changes in Protein Abundance Using Isobaric Labeling and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34432251 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1665-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Protein degradation is a critical component of all facets of cell biology, and recently methods have been developed to make use of targeted protein degradation as both an investigative tool and a potential therapeutic avenue. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic studies have allowed detailed characterization of changes in protein level and the biology underlying growth, development, and disease. Current methods and instrumentation allow identification and quantitative analysis of thousands of proteins in a single assay. The method described here involves cell lysis and digestion to peptides, labeling peptides with isobaric tagging TMT reagents, basic reversed phase fractionation, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the enriched peptides.
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19
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Ducker C, Shaw PE. Ubiquitin-Mediated Control of ETS Transcription Factors: Roles in Cancer and Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5119. [PMID: 34066106 PMCID: PMC8151852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome expansion, whole genome and gene duplication events during metazoan evolution produced an extensive family of ETS genes whose members express transcription factors with a conserved winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain. Unravelling their biological roles has proved challenging with functional redundancy manifest in overlapping expression patterns, a common consensus DNA-binding motif and responsiveness to mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. Key determinants of the cellular repertoire of ETS proteins are their stability and turnover, controlled largely by the actions of selective E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Here we discuss the known relationships between ETS proteins and enzymes that determine their ubiquitin status, their integration with other developmental signal transduction pathways and how suppression of ETS protein ubiquitination contributes to the malignant cell phenotype in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ducker
- Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Peter E. Shaw
- Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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20
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Huang L, Zhai Y, La J, Lui JW, Moore SP, Little EC, Xiao S, Haresi AJ, Brem C, Bhawan J, Lang D. Targeting Pan-ETS Factors Inhibits Melanoma Progression. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2071-2085. [PMID: 33526511 PMCID: PMC8137525 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The failure of once promising target-specific therapeutic strategies often arises from redundancies in gene expression pathways. Even with new melanoma treatments, many patients are not responsive or develop resistance, leading to disease progression in terms of growth and metastasis. We previously discovered that the transcription factors ETS1 and PAX3 drive melanoma growth and metastasis by promoting the expression of the MET receptor. Here, we find that there are multiple ETS family members expressed in melanoma and that these factors have redundant functions. The small molecule YK-4-279, initially developed to target the ETS gene-containing translocation product EWS-FLI1, significantly inhibited cellular growth, invasion, and ETS factor function in melanoma cell lines and a clinically relevant transgenic mouse model, BrafCA;Tyr-CreERT2;Ptenf/f. One of the antitumor effects of YK-4-279 in melanoma is achieved via interference of multiple ETS family members with PAX3 and the expression of the PAX3-ETS downstream gene MET. Expression of exogenous MET provided partial rescue of the effects of YK-4-279, further supporting that MET loss is a significant contributor to the antitumor effects of the drug. This is the first study identifying multiple overlapping functions of the ETS family promoting melanoma. In addition, targeting all factors, rather than individual members, demonstrated impactful deleterious consequences in melanoma progression. Given that multiple ETS factors are known to have oncogenic functions in other malignancies, these findings have a high therapeutic impact. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify YK-4-279 as a promising therapeutic agent against melanoma by targeting multiple ETS family members and blocking their ability to act as transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Yougang Zhai
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer La
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jason W. Lui
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.,Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Stephen P.G. Moore
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | | | - Sixia Xiao
- Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Adil J. Haresi
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Candice Brem
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Jag Bhawan
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.,To whom correspondence should be addressed: Deborah Lang, PhD, Boston University, Department of Dermatology, 609 Albany Street, room J205, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02118 Telephone: 01-617-358-9721; Fax: 01-617-638-5515;
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21
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Shaik S, Maegawa S, Haltom AR, Wang F, Xiao X, Dobson T, Sharma A, Yang Y, Swaminathan J, Kundra V, Li XN, Schadler K, Harmanci A, Xu L, Gopalakrishnan V. REST promotes ETS1-dependent vascular growth in medulloblastoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1486-1506. [PMID: 33469989 PMCID: PMC8096796 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of the RE1‐silencing transcription factor (REST), a master regulator of neurogenesis, is elevated in medulloblastoma (MB) tumors. A cell‐intrinsic function for REST in MB tumorigenesis is known. However, a role for REST in the regulation of MB tumor microenvironment has not been investigated. Here, we implicate REST in remodeling of the MB vasculature and describe underlying mechanisms. Using RESTTG mice, we demonstrate that elevated REST expression in cerebellar granule cell progenitors, the cells of origin of sonic hedgehog (SHH) MBs, increased vascular growth. This was recapitulated in MB xenograft models and validated by transcriptomic analyses of human MB samples. REST upregulation was associated with enhanced secretion of proangiogenic factors. Surprisingly, a REST‐dependent increase in the expression of the proangiogenic transcription factor E26 oncogene homolog 1, and its target gene encoding the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1, was observed in MB cells, which coincided with their localization at the tumor vasculature. These observations were confirmed by RNA‐Seq and microarray analyses of MB cells and SHH‐MB tumors. Thus, our data suggest that REST elevation promotes vascular growth by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavali Shaik
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shinji Maegawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amanda R Haltom
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xue Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tara Dobson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ajay Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yanwen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Vikas Kundra
- Departments of Abdominal Imaging and Cancer Systems, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiao Nan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Keri Schadler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Arif Harmanci
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Population & Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Brain Tumor Center, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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22
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Potu H, Kandarpa M, Peterson LF, Durham A, Donato NJ, Talpaz M. Downregulation of SOX2 by inhibition of Usp9X induces apoptosis in melanoma. Oncotarget 2021; 12:160-172. [PMID: 33613844 PMCID: PMC7869572 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma tumors driven by BRAF mutations often do not respond to BRAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitors currently used in treatment. One documented mechanism of resistance is upregulation of SOX2, a transcription factor that is essential for tumor growth and expansion, particularly in melanoma tumors with BRAF mutations. Targeting transcription factors pharmacologically has been elusive for drug developers, limiting treatment options. Here we show that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9, X-linked (Usp9x), a deubiquitinase (DUB) enzyme controls SOX2 levels in melanoma. Usp9x knockdown in melanoma increased SOX2 ubiquitination, leading to its depletion, and enhanced apoptotic effects of BRAF inhibitor and MEK inhibitors. Primary metastatic melanoma samples demonstrated moderately elevated Usp9x and SOX2 protein expression compared to tumors without metastatic potential. Usp9x knockdown, as well as inhibition with DUB inhibitor, G9, blocked SOX2 expression, suppressed in vitro colony growth, and induced apoptosis of BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. Combined treatment with Usp9x and mutant BRAF inhibitors fully suppressed melanoma growth in vivo. Our data demonstrate a novel mechanism for targeting the transcription factor SOX2, leveraging Usp9x inhibition. Thus, development of DUB inhibitors may add to the limited repertoire of current melanoma treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish Potu
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Malathi Kandarpa
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Luke F Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alison Durham
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nicholas J Donato
- Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.,These authors jointly supervised this work
| | - Moshe Talpaz
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,These authors jointly supervised this work
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23
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Gregoire-Mitha S, Gray DA. What deubiquitinating enzymes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressors actually do: Are current assumptions supported by patient outcomes? Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000269. [PMID: 33415735 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Context can determine whether a given gene acts as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) regulate the stability of many components of the pathways dictating cell fate so it would be expected that alterations in the levels or activity of these enzymes may have oncogenic or tumor suppressive consequences. In the current review we survey publications reporting that genes encoding DUBs are oncogenes or tumor suppressors. For many DUBs both claims have been made. For such "double agents," the effects of gain or loss of function will depend on the overall status of a complex of molecular signaling networks subject to extensive crosstalk. As the TGF-β paradox makes clear context is critical in cell fate decisions, and the disconnect between experimental findings and patient survival outcomes can in part be attributed to disparities between culture conditions and the microenvironment in vivo. Convincing claims for oncogene or tumor suppressor roles require the documentation of gene alterations in patient samples; survival curves are alone inadequate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Gregoire-Mitha
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Douglas A Gray
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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24
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Global Mass Spectrometry-Based Analysis of Protein Ubiquitination Using K-ε-GG Remnant Antibody Enrichment. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2365:203-216. [PMID: 34432246 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1665-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification that affects protein degradation as well as a variety of cellular processes. Methods that globally profile ubiquitination are powerful tools to better understand these processes. Here we describe an updated method for identification and quantification of thousands of sites of ubiquitination from cells, tissues, or other biological materials. The method involves cell lysis and digestion to peptides, immunoaffinity enrichment with an antibody recognizing di-glycine remnants left behind at ubiquitinated lysines, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the enriched peptides.
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25
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Qu H, Zhao H, Zhang X, Liu Y, Li F, Sun L, Song Z. Integrated Analysis of the ETS Family in Melanoma Reveals a Regulatory Role of ETV7 in the Immune Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2020; 11:612784. [PMID: 33424867 PMCID: PMC7786291 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.612784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ETS family modulates immune response and drug efficiency to targeted therapies, but their role in melanoma is largely unclear. In this study, the ETS family was systematically analyzed in multiple public data sets. Bioinformatics tools were used to characterize the function of ETV7 in melanoma. A prognostic model was constructed using the LASSO Cox regression method. We found that ETV7 was the only differentially expressed gene with significant prognostic relevance in melanoma. Enrichment analysis of seven independent data sets indicated ETV7 participation in various immune-related pathways. ETV7 particularly showed a strong positive correlation with CD8+ T cell infiltration. The prognostic model based on ETV7 and its hub genes showed a relatively good predictive value in training and testing data sets. Thus, ETV7 can potentially regulate the immune microenvironment in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Liyan Sun
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zewen Song
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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26
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Silencing KIF14 reverses acquired resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:22975-23003. [PMID: 33203790 PMCID: PMC7746348 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
For nearly a decade, sorafenib has served as a first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it displays only limited efficacy against advanced drug-resistant HCC. Regorafenib, the first second-line drug approved for treatment after sorafenib failure, can reverse resistance to sorafenib. We used bioinformatics methods to identify genes whose expression was differentially induced by sorafenib and regorafenib in HCC. We identified KIF14 as an oncogene involved in the acquired resistance to sorafenib in HCC and investigated its potential as a target for reversing this resistance. Sustained exposure of resistant HCC cells to sorafenib activated the AKT pathway, which in turn upregulated KIF14 expression by increasing expression of the transcription factor ETS1. Silencing KIF14 reversed the acquired resistance to sorafenib by inhibiting AKT activation and downregulating ETS1 expression by blocking the AKT-ETS1-KIF14 positive feedback loop. Moreover, injection of siKIF14 with sorafenib suppressed growth of sorafenib-resistant HCC tumors in mice. These results demonstrate that targeting KIF14 could be an effective means of reversing sorafenib failure or strengthening sorafenib's antitumor effects.
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27
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Vere G, Kealy R, Kessler BM, Pinto-Fernandez A. Ubiquitomics: An Overview and Future. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1453. [PMID: 33080838 PMCID: PMC7603029 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent attachment of ubiquitin, a small globular polypeptide, to protein substrates is a key post-translational modification that determines the fate, function, and turnover of most cellular proteins. Ubiquitin modification exists as mono- or polyubiquitin chains involving multiple ways how ubiquitin C-termini are connected to lysine, perhaps other amino acid side chains, and N-termini of proteins, often including branching of the ubiquitin chains. Understanding this enormous complexity in protein ubiquitination, the so-called 'ubiquitin code', in combination with the ∼1000 enzymes involved in controlling ubiquitin recognition, conjugation, and deconjugation, calls for novel developments in analytical techniques. Here, we review different headways in the field mainly driven by mass spectrometry and chemical biology, referred to as "ubiquitomics", aiming to understand this system's biological diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Vere
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (B.M.K.)
| | - Rachel Kealy
- St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6HS, UK;
| | - Benedikt M. Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (B.M.K.)
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS), Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Adan Pinto-Fernandez
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK; (G.V.); (B.M.K.)
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28
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Nielsen CP, Jernigan KK, Diggins NL, Webb DJ, MacGurn JA. USP9X Deubiquitylates DVL2 to Regulate WNT Pathway Specification. Cell Rep 2020; 28:1074-1089.e5. [PMID: 31340145 PMCID: PMC6884140 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The WNT signaling network is comprised of multiple receptors that relay various input signals via distinct transduction pathways to execute multiple complex and context-specific output processes. Integrity of the WNT signaling network relies on proper specification between canonical and noncanonical pathways, which presents a regulatory challenge given that several signal transducing elements are shared between pathways. Here, we report that USP9X, a deubiquitylase, and WWP1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulate a ubiquitin rheostat on DVL2, a WNT signaling protein. Our findings indicate that USP9X-mediated deubiquitylation of DVL2 is required for canonical WNT activation, while increased DVL2 ubiquitylation is associated with localization to actin-rich projections and activation of the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. We propose that a WWP1-USP9X axis regulates a ubiquitin rheostat on DVL2 that specifies its participation in either canonical WNT or WNT-PCP pathways. These findings have important implications for therapeutic targeting of USP9X in human cancer. DVL2 is a signal transducing protein that participates in canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling relays. Here, Nielsen et al. report that the deubiquitylase USP9X and the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1 operate on DVL2 to establish a ubiquitin rheostat that contributes to WNT pathway specification in human breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey P Nielsen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Kristin K Jernigan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Nicole L Diggins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Donna J Webb
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Jason A MacGurn
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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29
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Functional analysis of deubiquitylating enzymes in tumorigenesis and development. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1872:188312. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.188312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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30
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Targeting USP9x/SOX2 axis contributes to the anti-osteosarcoma effect of neogambogic acid. Cancer Lett 2019; 469:277-286. [PMID: 31605775 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SOX2 has been viewed as a critical oncoprotein in osteosarcoma. Emerging evidence show that inducing the degradation of transcription factors such as SOX2 is a promising strategy to make them druggable. Here, we show that neogambogic acid (NGA), an active ingredient in garcinia, significantly inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells with ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation of SOX2 in vitro and in vivo. We further identified USP9x as a bona fide deubiquitinase for SOX2 and NGA directly interacts with USP9x in cells. Moreover, knockdown of USP9x inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of osteosarcoma cells, which could be rescued by overexpression of SOX2. Consistent with this, knockdown of USP9x inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, we identify USP9x as the first deubiquitinating enzyme for controlling the stability of SOX2 and USP9x is a direct target for NGA. We propose that targeting the USP9x/SOX2 axis represents a novel strategy for the therapeutic of osteosarcoma and other SOX2 related cancers.
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31
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Potu H, Kandarpa M, Peterson LF, Donato NJ, Talpaz M. Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) regulates deubiquitinase USP5 in tumor cells. Oncotarget 2019; 10:5745-5754. [PMID: 31645897 PMCID: PMC6791380 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pathway has emerged as a cancer therapeutic target. However, clinical trials have proven that most human cancers are resistant to TRAIL. We show that exposure to recombinant TRAIL resulted in the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and free ubiquitin polymers, suggesting a link between TRAIL and the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway. TRAIL treatment in cancer cells reduced the activity and cleavage of USP5, a deubiquitinase (DUB) previously shown to target unanchored Ub polymers and regulate p53-mediated transcription. TRAIL was effective in suppressing USP5 activity and cleavage in TRAIL-sensitive cells but not resistant cells. Knockdown of USP5 in TRAIL-resistant cells demonstrated that USP5 controls apoptotic responsiveness to TRAIL. USP5 cleavage and ubiquitination were blocked by caspase-8 specific inhibitors. A small-molecule USP5/9× inhibitor (G9) combined with TRAIL enhanced apoptosis and blocked colony growth in highly TRAIL-resistant cell lines. Finally, USP5 protein levels and activity were found to be frequently deregulated in TRAIL-resistant cells. Together, we conclude that activated TRAIL enhances USP5 activity and induces apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive and -resistant cells. We also suggest that USP5 inhibition may be effective in inducing apoptotic thresholds to enhance responsiveness to TRAIL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish Potu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Malathi Kandarpa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Luke F Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nicholas J Donato
- Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Moshe Talpaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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32
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Lu Q, Zhang FL, Lu DY, Shao ZM, Li DQ. USP9X stabilizes BRCA1 and confers resistance to DNA-damaging agents in human cancer cells. Cancer Med 2019; 8:6730-6740. [PMID: 31512408 PMCID: PMC6825982 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BRCA1, a multifunctional protein with an important role in DNA double‐strand break repair by homologous recombination (HR), is subjected to ubiquitin‐dependent degradation. To date, several E3 ubiquitin ligases have been identified to govern BRCA1 stability, but the deubiquitinase that counteracts its turnover remains undefined. In this study, we report that the ubiquitin‐specific protease 9X (USP9X) is a bona fide deubiquitinase for BRCA1 in human cancer cells. Reciprocal immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that USP9X interacted with BRCA1. Depletion of USP9X by short interfering RNAs or inhibition of USP9X by the small‐molecular inhibitor WP1130 significantly reduced BRCA1 protein abundance, without affecting its mRNA levels. In contrast, overexpression of wild‐type USP9X, but not its deubiquitinase activity‐defective mutant (C1566S), resulted in an upregulation of BRCA1 protein levels. Moreover, USP9X depletion reduced the half‐life of BRCA1, accompanied by an increase in its ubiquitination. HR assays showed that knockdown of USP9X significantly reduced HR efficiency, which was partially rescued by reintroduction of BRCA1 into USP9X‐depleted cells. In support of these findings, USP9X knockdown significantly enhanced sensitivity to PARP inhibitor Olaparib and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Collectively, these results establish USP9X as a deubiquitinase for BRCA1 and reveal a previously unrecognized role of USP9X in the regulation of HR repair and the sensitivity of cancer cells to DNA‐damaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Lu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Lin Zhang
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Yun Lu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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33
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Aqaqe N, Yassin M, Yassin AA, Ershaid N, Katz-Even C, Zipin-Roitman A, Kugler E, Lechman ER, Gan OI, Mitchell A, Dick JE, Izraeli S, Milyavsky M. An ERG Enhancer-Based Reporter Identifies Leukemia Cells with Elevated Leukemogenic Potential Driven by ERG-USP9X Feed-Forward Regulation. Cancer Res 2019; 79:3862-3876. [PMID: 31175119 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing blood cancer with low survival rates. Unfavorable prognosis is attributed to insufficiently characterized subpopulations of leukemia stem cells (LSC) that drive chemoresistance and leukemia relapse. Here we utilized a genetic reporter that assesses stemness to enrich and functionally characterize LSCs. We observed heterogeneous activity of the ERG+85 enhancer-based fluorescent reporter in human leukemias. Cells with high reporter activity (tagBFPHigh) exhibited elevated expression of stemness and chemoresistance genes and demonstrated increased clonogenicity and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy as compared with their tagBFPNeg counterparts. The tagBFPHigh fraction was capable of regenerating the original cellular heterogeneity and demonstrated increased invasive ability. Moreover, the tagBFPHigh fraction was enriched for leukemia-initiating cells in a xenograft assay. We identified the ubiquitin hydrolase USP9X as a novel ERG transcriptional target that sustains ERG+85-positive cells by controlling ERG ubiquitination. Therapeutic targeting of USP9X led to preferential inhibition of the ERG-dependent leukemias. Collectively, these results characterize human leukemia cell functional heterogeneity and suggest that targeting ERG via USP9X inhibition may be a potential treatment strategy in patients with leukemia. SIGNIFICANCE: This study couples a novel experimental tool with state-of-the-art approaches to delineate molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell-related characteristics in leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasma Aqaqe
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Muhammad Yassin
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Abed Alkader Yassin
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nour Ershaid
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chen Katz-Even
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Zipin-Roitman
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eitan Kugler
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Schneider Children Medical Center Petah-Tikva, Israel.,The Gene Development and Environment Pediatric Research Institute, Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Molecular Human Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eric R Lechman
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga I Gan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Mitchell
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John E Dick
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shai Izraeli
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Schneider Children Medical Center Petah-Tikva, Israel.,The Gene Development and Environment Pediatric Research Institute, Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.,Department of Molecular Human Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michael Milyavsky
- Department of Pathology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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34
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Li H, Zheng B. Overexpression of the Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 9 X-Linked (USP9X) Gene is Associated with Upregulation of Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and Downregulation of Cyclin-Dependent Inhibitor Kinase 1A (CDKN1A) in Breast Cancer Tissue and Cell Lines. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:4207-4216. [PMID: 31169265 PMCID: PMC6568031 DOI: 10.12659/msm.914742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9 X-linked (USP9X) gene in breast cancer remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of USP9X in breast cancer tissue and cell lines. Material/Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression levels of USP9X in 102 breast cancer tissue samples and 41 normal breast tissue samples. Overexpression of USP9X in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines were studied by USP9X lentivirus vector transfection. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/caspase-9 USP9X gene knockout was performed. Cell proliferation, growth, and survival were examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, the colony formation assay, flow cytometry assays, and a tumor xenograft study. Results Immunohistochemistry showed that USP9X was significantly overexpressed in 93 of 102 (91.1%) breast cancer tissue samples compared with 41 normal breast tissue samples and was associated with tumor size ≥5.0 cm (P<0.05). USP9X overexpression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer increased cell proliferation and survival, significantly reduced the number of cells in the G1-phase cells and increased the number of cells in the S-phase cells, which were reversed by CRISPR/caspase-9 USP9X gene knockout. Overexpression of USP9X upregulated the CCND1 gene encoding cyclin D1 and downregulated cyclin-dependent inhibitor kinase 1A (CDKN1A) gene in breast cancer cells, which were reversed by USP9X knockout. Conclusions Overexpression of USP9X was associated with upregulation of the CCND1 gene and downregulation of the CDKN1A gene in breast cancer tissue and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Li
- Department of the Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of the Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, China (mainland).,Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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35
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Chen X, Lu D, Gao J, Zhu H, Zhou Y, Gao D, Zhou H. Identification of a USP9X Substrate NFX1-123 by SILAC-Based Quantitative Proteomics. J Proteome Res 2019; 18:2654-2665. [PMID: 31059266 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The deubiquitinase USP9X is involved in multiple diseases including neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and various types of tumors by targeting different substrates. In the present study, we aimed to explore the potential substrates of USP9X and performed SILAC-based quantitative proteomics to compare these substrates in USP9X-knockdown and wild-type HeLa cells. We consequently carried out Flag-NFX1-123 tag affinity-based mass spectrometry and confirmed that the X-box binding nuclear factor NFX1-123 interacted with USP9X. Moreover, immunoprecipitation assays verified a direct interaction between USP9X and NFX1-123. Further experiments confirmed that NFX1-123 could be modified by ubiquitination and that USP9X stabilized NFX1-123 via efficient deubiquitination of NFX1-123. Knockdown of USP9X resulted in decreased NFX1-123 protein levels compared with their unchanged corresponding mRNA levels in different cell lines. In summary, we found that NFX1-123 was a bona fide substrate of the deubiquitinase USP9X and that it could be degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The present study provided new insight into understanding the biological function of USP9X by targeting its substrate NFX1-123.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Chen
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Number 19A Yuquan Road , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Dayun Lu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Number 19A Yuquan Road , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Hongwen Zhu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Yanting Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China
| | - Daming Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Number 19A Yuquan Road , Beijing 100049 , China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology , Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 200031 , China
| | - Hu Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Number 19A Yuquan Road , Beijing 100049 , China
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36
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Lu Q, Lu D, Shao ZM, Li DQ. Deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 9X regulates the stability and function of E3 ubiquitin ligase ring finger protein 115 in breast cancer cells. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:1268-1278. [PMID: 30689267 PMCID: PMC6447854 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The E3 ubiquitin ligase ring finger protein 115 (RNF115) is overexpressed in more than half of human breast tumors and is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer. However, the mechanism behind RNF115 overexpression in breast tumors remains largely unknown. Here we report that ubiquitin‐specific protease 9X (USP9X), a substrate‐specific deubiquitinating enzyme, stabilizes RNF115 and thereby regulates its biological functions in breast cancer cells. Immunoprecipitation and GST pull‐down assays showed that USP9X interacted with RNF115. Depletion of RNF115 by siRNAs or overexpression of RNF115 did not significantly affect USP9X expression. In contrast, knockdown of USP9X in breast cancer cells by siRNAs reduced RNF115 protein abundance, which was partially restored following treatment with proteasome inhibitor MG‐132. Moreover, depletion of USP9X reduced the half‐life of RNF115 and increased its ubiquitination. Conversely, overexpression of USP9X resulted in an accumulation of RNF115 protein, accompanied by a decrease in its ubiquitination. RNF115 mRNA levels were unaffected by overexpression or knockdown of USP9X. Furthermore, USP9X protein expression levels correlated positively with RNF115 in breast cancer cell lines and breast tumor samples. Importantly, reintroduction of RNF115 in USP9X‐depleted cells partially rescued the reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells by USP9X knockdown. Collectively, these findings indicate that USP9X is a stabilizer of RNF115 protein and that the USP9X‐RNF115 signaling axis is implicated in the breast cancer malignant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Lu
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dayun Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Cancer Institute, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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From Discovery to Bedside: Targeting the Ubiquitin System. Cell Chem Biol 2018; 26:156-177. [PMID: 30554913 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin/proteasome system is a primary conduit for selective intracellular protein degradation. Since its discovery over 30 years ago, this highly regulated system continues to be an active research area for drug discovery that is exemplified by several approved drugs. Here we review compounds in preclinical testing, clinical trials, and approved drugs, with the aim of highlighting innovative discoveries and breakthrough therapies that target the ubiquitin system.
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Li L, Wang Y, Zhang X, Song G, Guo Q, Zhang Z, Diao Y, Yin H, Liu H, Jiang G. Deubiquitinase USP48 promotes ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:895-903. [PMID: 29901102 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, its molecular mechanisms of action are unclear. Ubiquitin-specific protease 48 (USP48) is a deubiquitinase enzyme that can post-translationally remove ubiquitin molecules from substrates. In the present study, the role of USP48 in ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells was studied. The expression of USP48 decreased following ATRA treatment. Functionally, overexpression of USP48 using electroporation-mediated delivery inhibited the proliferation of APL cells and promoted ATRA-mediated differentiation. The inverse observations were made upon siRNA-mediated knockdown of USP48. Furthermore, the expression of USP48 was increased in the nucleus upon ATRA exposure for ≤24 h, suggesting that USP48 was translocated into the nucleus. Interestingly, regulation of p65, a substrate of USP48, did not contribute to the downstream mechanism of ATRA-induced differentiation of APL cells. In addition, upstream mechanistic studies demonstrated that the expression of USP48 was regulated by microRNA-301a-3p. In conclusion, the present study highlights the function of USP48 in the ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation of APL cells and provides a theoretical basis for identifying novel targets for differentiation therapy of APL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- Shandong Xinchuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Jinan, Shandong 250102, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Guanhua Song
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Yutao Diao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Haipeng Yin
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
| | - Guosheng Jiang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, P.R. China
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39
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Jingjing W, Wenzheng G, Donghua W, Guangyu H, Aiping Z, Wenjuan W. Deubiquitination and stabilization of programmed cell death ligand 1 by ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9, X-linked in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2018; 7:4004-4011. [PMID: 29992764 PMCID: PMC6089178 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immune checkpoint protein programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) binds to PD1 to promote tumor cell escape from the killing effect of the immune system. However, there are few studies on the regulatory mechanisms of PD‐L1 in tumors. Although PD‐L1 has been reported to undergo ubiquitination in some cancers, its regulatory mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this phenomenon. Methods We examined the expression and function of USP9X and PD‐L1 in human oral keratinocytes (HOK) and OSCC cell lines (HN4 and HN30) as the control and relevant cancer cells using western blotting, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), T‐cell‐mediated tumor cell killing assay, and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Results Programmed cell death ligand 1 was highly expressed in OSCC by the regulation of the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we discovered that ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 9, X‐linked (USP9X) could be combined with PD‐L1 to induce its deubiquitination and stabilize its protein expression in OSCC. Conclusion Our data indicate that USP9X deubiquitinates and stabilizes PD‐L1. Suppressing the expression of USP9X blocks tumor cell growth. The results provide a theoretical basis for USP9X as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Jingjing
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guo Wenzheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of The Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Donghua
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hou Guangyu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Aiping
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu Wenjuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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40
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Didier R, Mallavialle A, Ben Jouira R, Domdom MA, Tichet M, Auberger P, Luciano F, Ohanna M, Tartare-Deckert S, Deckert M. Targeting the Proteasome-Associated Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP14 Impairs Melanoma Cell Survival and Overcomes Resistance to MAPK-Targeting Therapies. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:1416-1429. [PMID: 29703842 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Advanced cutaneous melanoma is one of the most challenging cancers to treat because of its high plasticity, metastatic potential, and resistance to treatment. New targeted therapies and immunotherapies have shown remarkable clinical efficacy. However, such treatments are limited to a subset of patients and relapses often occur, warranting validation of novel targeted therapies. Posttranslational modification of proteins by ubiquitin coordinates essential cellular functions, including ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) function and protein homeostasis. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUB) have been associated to multiple diseases, including cancer. However, their exact involvement in melanoma development and therapeutic resistance remains poorly understood. Using a DUB trap assay to label cellular active DUBs, we have observed an increased activity of the proteasome-associated DUB, USP14 (Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 14) in melanoma cells compared with melanocytes. Our survey of public gene expression databases indicates that high expression of USP14 correlates with melanoma progression and with a poorer survival rate in metastatic melanoma patients. Knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of USP14 dramatically impairs viability of melanoma cells irrespective of the mutational status of BRAF, NRAS, or TP53 and their transcriptional cell state, and overcomes resistance to MAPK-targeting therapies both in vitro and in human melanoma xenografted mice. At the molecular level, we find that inhibition of USP14 rapidly triggers accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins and chaperones, mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, and a ROS production leading to a caspase-independent cell death. Our results provide a rationale for targeting the proteasome-associated DUB USP14 to treat and combat melanomas. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1416-29. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Didier
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | - Aude Mallavialle
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | - Rania Ben Jouira
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | - Marie Angela Domdom
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | - Mélanie Tichet
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | | | | | | | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
| | - Marcel Deckert
- Inserm, U1065, Team Microenvironment, Signaling and Cancer, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) and Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France. .,Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 2016, Nice, France
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41
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Chen X, Yu C, Gao J, Zhu H, Cui B, Zhang T, Zhou Y, Liu Q, He H, Xiao R, Huang R, Xie H, Gao D, Zhou H. A novel USP9X substrate TTK contributes to tumorigenesis in non-small-cell lung cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:2348-2360. [PMID: 29721084 PMCID: PMC5928894 DOI: 10.7150/thno.22901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The X-linked deubiquitinase, USP9X, is implicated in multiple cancers by targeting various substrates. Increased expression of USP9X is observed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is correlated with poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanism for USP9X regulation of tumor cell survival and tumorigenesis in NSCLC is less defined. Methods: In this study, chemical labeling, quantitative proteomic screening was applied to analyze A549 cells with or without USP9X RNA interference. Functional in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to confirm the oncogenic effects of USP9X in NSCLC and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results: The resulting data suggested that dual specificity protein kinase TTK is a potential substrate of USP9X. Further experimental evidences confirmed that USP9X stabilized TTK via direct interaction and efficient deubiquitination of TTK on K48 ubiquitin chain. Moreover, knockdown of USP9X or TTK inhibited cell proliferation, migration and tumorigenesis, and the immunohistochemical analysis of clinical NSCLC samples showed that the protein expression levels of USP9X and TTK were significantly elevated and positively correlated in tumor tissues. Conclusions: In summary, our data demonstrated that the USP9X-TTK axis may play a critical role in NSCLC, and could be considered as a potential therapeutic target.
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42
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Jing B, Liu M, Yang L, Cai HY, Chen JB, Li ZX, Kou X, Wu YZ, Qin DJ, Zhou L, Jin J, Lei H, Xu HZ, Wang WW, Wu YL. Characterization of naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenes as novel inhibitors of deubiquitinating protease USP7 with anticancer activity in vitro. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:492-498. [PMID: 29168472 PMCID: PMC5843828 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Deubiquitinating protease USP7 is a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment, and interest in developing USP7 inhibitors has greatly increased. In the present study, we reported a series of natural pentacyclic triterpenes with USP7 inhibitory activity in vitro. Among them, both the ursane triterpenes and oleanane triterpenes were more active than the lupine triterpenes, whereas ursolic acid was the most potent with IC50 of 7.0±1.5 μmol/L. Molecular docking studies showed that ursolic acid might occupy the ubiquitin binding pocket of USP7, with the 17-carboxyl group and 3-hydroxyl group playing a vital role in the USP7-ursolic acid interaction. Using the cellular thermal shift assay, we demonstrated that ursolic acid interacted with USP7 in RPMI8226 human myeloma cells. Ursolic acid dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of the myeloma cells with IC50 of 6.56 μmol/L, accompanied by reductions in USP7 substrates such as MDM2, UHRF1 and DNMT1. Overexpression of USP7 partially, but significantly attenuated ursolic acid-induced cell death as well as downregulation of MDM2, UHRF1 and DNMT1. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that pentacyclic triterpenes represent a novel scaffold for developing USP7 inhibitors and that USP7 inhibition contributes to the anti-cancer effect of ursolic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jing
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Li Yang
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Hai-yan Cai
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Jie-bo Chen
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Ze-xi Li
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Xi Kou
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Yun-zhao Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Dong-jun Qin
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Li Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Rui-Jin
Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine,
Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Jin Jin
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Hu Lei
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Han-zhang Xu
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Wei-wei Wang
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
| | - Ying-li Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of
Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology
Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell
Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao
Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai
200025, China
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Pal A, Dziubinski M, Di Magliano MP, Simeone DM, Owens S, Thomas D, Peterson L, Potu H, Talpaz M, Donato NJ. Usp9x Promotes Survival in Human Pancreatic Cancer and Its Inhibition Suppresses Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma In Vivo Tumor Growth. Neoplasia 2017; 20:152-164. [PMID: 29248719 PMCID: PMC5735260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Usp9x has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in some hematologic malignancies and a broad range of solid tumors including brain, breast, and prostate. To examine Usp9x tumorigenicity and consequence of Usp9x inhibition in human pancreatic tumor models, we carried out gain- and loss-of-function studies using established human pancreatic tumor cell lines (PANC1 and MIAPACA2) and four spontaneously immortalized human pancreatic patient-derived tumor (PDX) cell lines. The effect of Usp9x activity inhibition by small molecule deubiquitinase inhibitor G9 was assessed in 2D and 3D culture, and its efficacy was tested in human tumor xenografts. Overexpression of Usp9x increased 3D growth and invasion in PANC1 cells and up-regulated the expression of known Usp9x substrates Mcl-1 and ITCH. Usp9x inhibition by shRNA-knockdown or by G9 treatment reduced 3D colony formation in PANC1 and PDX cell lines, induced rapid apoptosis in MIAPACA2 cells, and associated with reduced Mcl-1 and ITCH protein levels. Although G9 treatment reduced human MIAPACA2 tumor burden in vivo, in mouse pancreatic cancer cell lines established from constitutive (8041) and doxycycline-inducible (4668) KrasG12D/Tp53R172H mouse pancreatic tumors, Usp9x inhibition increased and sustained the 3D colony growth and showed no significant effect on tumor growth in 8041-xenografts. Thus, Usp9x inhibition may be therapeutically active in human PDAC, but this activity was not predicted from studies of genetically engineered mouse pancreatic tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Pal
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | | | - Diane M Simeone
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine
| | - Scott Owens
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Dafydd Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Luke Peterson
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Harish Potu
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Moshe Talpaz
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Nicholas J Donato
- Department of Internal Medicine/Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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44
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Kapoor S, Natarajan K, Baldwin PR, Doshi KA, Lapidus RG, Mathias TJ, Scarpa M, Trotta R, Davila E, Kraus M, Huszar D, Tron AE, Perrotti D, Baer MR. Concurrent Inhibition of Pim and FLT3 Kinases Enhances Apoptosis of FLT3-ITD Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells through Increased Mcl-1 Proteasomal Degradation. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 24:234-247. [PMID: 29074603 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-1629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Purpose:fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is present in 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and these patients have short disease-free survival. FLT3 inhibitors have limited and transient clinical activity, and concurrent treatment with inhibitors of parallel or downstream signaling may improve responses. The oncogenic serine/threonine kinase Pim-1 is upregulated downstream of FLT3-ITD and also promotes its signaling in a positive feedback loop, suggesting benefit of combined Pim and FLT3 inhibition.Experimental Design: Combinations of clinically active Pim and FLT3 inhibitors were studied in vitro and in vivoResults: Concurrent treatment with the pan-Pim inhibitor AZD1208 and FLT3 inhibitors at clinically applicable concentrations abrogated in vitro growth of FLT3-ITD, but not wild-type FLT3 (FLT3-WT), cell lines. AZD1208 cotreatment increased FLT3 inhibitor-induced apoptosis of FLT3-ITD, but not FLT3-WT, cells measured by sub-G1 fraction, annexin V labeling, mitochondrial membrane potential, and PARP and caspase-3 cleavage. Concurrent treatment with AZD1208 and the FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib decreased growth of MV4-11 cells, with FLT3-ITD, in mouse xenografts, and prolonged survival, enhanced apoptosis of FLT3-ITD primary AML blasts, but not FLT3-WT blasts or remission marrow cells, and decreased FLT3-ITD AML blast colony formation. Mechanistically, AZD1208 and quizartinib cotreatment decreased expression of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. Decrease in Mcl-1 protein expression was abrogated by treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132, and was preceded by downregulation of the Mcl-1 deubiquitinase USP9X, a novel mechanism of Mcl-1 regulation in AML.Conclusions: The data support clinical testing of Pim and FLT3 inhibitor combination therapy for FLT3-ITD AML. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 234-47. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Kapoor
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Karthika Natarajan
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Patrick R Baldwin
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kshama A Doshi
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Trevor J Mathias
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mario Scarpa
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rossana Trotta
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eduardo Davila
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Danilo Perrotti
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Maria R Baer
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
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45
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Kumari N, Jaynes PW, Saei A, Iyengar PV, Richard JLC, Eichhorn PJA. The roles of ubiquitin modifying enzymes in neoplastic disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1868:456-483. [PMID: 28923280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The initial experiments performed by Rose, Hershko, and Ciechanover describing the identification of a specific degradation signal in short-lived proteins paved the way to the discovery of the ubiquitin mediated regulation of numerous physiological functions required for cellular homeostasis. Since their discovery of ubiquitin and ubiquitin function over 30years ago it has become wholly apparent that ubiquitin and their respective ubiquitin modifying enzymes are key players in tumorigenesis. The human genome encodes approximately 600 putative E3 ligases and 80 deubiquitinating enzymes and in the majority of cases these enzymes exhibit specificity in sustaining either pro-tumorigenic or tumour repressive responses. In this review, we highlight the known oncogenic and tumour suppressive effects of ubiquitin modifying enzymes in cancer relevant pathways with specific focus on PI3K, MAPK, TGFβ, WNT, and YAP pathways. Moreover, we discuss the capacity of targeting DUBs as a novel anticancer therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi Kumari
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Patrick William Jaynes
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Azad Saei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore; Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore
| | | | | | - Pieter Johan Adam Eichhorn
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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46
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Tetsu O, McCormick F. ETS-targeted therapy: can it substitute for MEK inhibitors? Clin Transl Med 2017; 6:16. [PMID: 28474232 PMCID: PMC5418169 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0147-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The RAS/MAPK pathway has been intensively studied in cancer. Constitutive activation of ERK1 and ERK2 is frequently found in cancer cells from a variety of tissues. In clinical practice and clinical trials, small molecules targeting receptor tyrosine kinases or components in the MAPK cascade are used for treatment. MEK1 and MEK2 are ideal targets because these enzymes are physiologically important and have narrow substrate specificities and distinctive structural characteristics. Despite success in pre-clinical testing, only two MEK inhibitors, trametinib and cobimetinib, have been approved, both for treatment of BRAF-mutant melanoma. Surprisingly, the efficacy of MEK inhibitors in other tumors has been disappointing. These facts suggest the need for a different approach. We here consider transcription factor ETS1 and ETS2 as alternate therapeutic targets because they are major MAPK downstream effectors. MAIN TEXT The lack of clinical efficacy of MEK inhibitors is attributed mostly to a subsequent loss of negative feedback regulation in the MAPK pathway. To overcome this obstacle, second-generation MEK inhibitors, so-called "feedback busters," have been developed. However, their efficacy is still unsatisfactory in the majority of cancers. To substitute ETS-targeted therapy, therapeutic strategies to modulate the transcription factor in cancer must be considered. Chemical targeting of ETS1 for proteolysis is a promising strategy; Src and USP9X inhibitors might achieve this by accelerating ETS1 protein turnover. Targeting the ETS1 interface might have great therapeutic value because ETS1 dimerizes itself or with other transcription factors to regulate target genes. In addition, transcriptional cofactors, including CBP/p300 and BRD4, represent intriguing targets for both ETS1 and ETS2. CONCLUSIONS ETS-targeted therapy appears to be promising. However, it may have a potential problem. It might inhibit autoregulatory negative feedback loops in the MAPK pathway, with consequent resistance to cell death by ERK1 and ERK2 activation. Further research is warranted to explore clinically applicable ways to inhibit ETS1 and ETS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Tetsu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. .,UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Frank McCormick
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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