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Liu F, Chen J, Li K, Li H, Zhu Y, Zhai Y, Lu B, Fan Y, Liu Z, Chen X, Jia X, Dong Z, Liu K. Ubiquitination and deubiquitination in cancer: from mechanisms to novel therapeutic approaches. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:148. [PMID: 39048965 PMCID: PMC11270804 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02046-3] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, a pivotal posttranslational modification of proteins, plays a fundamental role in regulating protein stability. The dysregulation of ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating enzymes is a common feature in various cancers, underscoring the imperative to investigate ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs) for insights into oncogenic processes and the development of therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss the contributions of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in all hallmarks of cancer and progress in drug discovery. We delve into the multiple functions of the UPS in oncology, including its regulation of multiple cancer-associated pathways, its role in metabolic reprogramming, its engagement with tumor immune responses, its function in phenotypic plasticity and polymorphic microbiomes, and other essential cellular functions. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of novel anticancer strategies that leverage the UPS, including the development and application of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, School of Third Clinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of First Clinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Haochen Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of First Clinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yiyi Zhu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of First Clinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yubo Zhai
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Bingbing Lu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yanle Fan
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, China
| | - Ziyue Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaojie Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xuechao Jia
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of TCM Syndrome and Prescription in Signaling, Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhong Jing) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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Wang J, Shen S, You J, Wang Z, Li Y, Chen Y, Tuo Y, Chen D, Yu H, Zhang J, Wang F, Pang X, Xiao Z, Lan Q, Wang Y. PRMT6 facilitates EZH2 protein stability by inhibiting TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination degradation to promote glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:524. [PMID: 39043634 PMCID: PMC11266590 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06920-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Invasion and migration are the key hallmarks of cancer, and aggressive growth is a major factor contributing to treatment failure and poor prognosis in glioblastoma. Protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6), as an epigenetic regulator, has been confirmed to promote the malignant proliferation of glioblastoma cells in previous studies. However, the effects of PRMT6 on glioblastoma cell invasion and migration and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that PRMT6 functions as a driver element for tumor cell invasion and migration in glioblastoma. Bioinformatics analysis and glioma sample detection results demonstrated that PRMT6 is highly expressed in mesenchymal subtype or invasive gliomas, and is significantly negatively correlated with their prognosis. Inhibition of PRMT6 (using PRMT6 shRNA or inhibitor EPZ020411) reduces glioblastoma cell invasion and migration in vitro, whereas overexpression of PRMT6 produces opposite effects. Then, we identified that PRMT6 maintains the protein stability of EZH2 by inhibiting the degradation of EZH2 protein, thereby mediating the invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells. Further mechanistic investigations found that PRMT6 inhibits the transcription of TRAF6 by activating the histone methylation mark (H3R2me2a), and reducing the interaction between TRAF6 and EZH2 to enhance the protein stability of EZH2 in glioblastoma cells. Xenograft tumor assay and HE staining results showed that the expression of PRMT6 could promote the invasion of glioblastoma cells in vivo, the immunohistochemical staining results of mouse brain tissue tumor sections also confirmed the regulatory relationship between PRMT6, TRAF6, and EZH2. Our findings illustrate that PRMT6 suppresses TRAF6 transcription via H3R2me2a to enhance the protein stability of EZH2 to facilitate glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Blocking the PRMT6-TRAF6-EZH2 axis is a promising strategy for inhibiting glioblastoma cell invasion and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shiquan Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian You
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, 646000, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhaotao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Yanming Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004, Suzhou, China
| | - Yonghua Tuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danmin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoming Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingbo Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangran Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyu Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215124, Suzhou, China.
| | - Qing Lan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 215004, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yezhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, China.
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Zhao Y, Li T, Zhang L, Yang J, Zhao F, Wang Y, Ouyang Y, Liu J. TRAF6 promotes spinal microglial M1 polarization to aggravate neuropathic pain by activating the c-JUN/NF-kB signaling pathway. Cell Biol Toxicol 2024; 40:54. [PMID: 38995476 PMCID: PMC11245438 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-024-09900-6] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuropathic pain with complex networks of neuroinflammatory activation severely limits clinical therapeutic research. TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is associated with multiple inflammatory diseases. However, there remains confusion about the effects and mechanisms of TRAF6 in neuropathic pain. METHODS A chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was developed to simulate neuralgia in vivo. We overexpressed or knocked down TRAF6 in CCI mice, respectively. Activation of microglia by TRAF6, the inflammatory response, and disease progression were inspected using WB, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and ELISA assays. Moreover, the mechanism of M1/M2 polarization activation of microglia by TRAF6 was elaborated in BV-2 cells. RESULTS TRAF6 was enhanced in the spinal neurons and microglia of the CCI mice model compared with the sham operation group.. Down-regulation of TRAF6 rescued the expression of Iba-1. In response to mechanical and thermal stimulation, PWT and PWL were improved after the knockdown of TRAF6. Decreased levels of pro-inflammatory factors were observed in TRAF6 knockdown groups. Meanwhile, increased microglial M1 markers induced by CCI were limited in mice with TRAF6 knockdown. In addition, TRAF6 overexpression has the precise opposite effect on CCI mice or microglia polarization. We also identifed that TRAF6 activated the c-JUN/NF-kB pathway signaling; the inhibitor of c-JUN/NF-kB could effectively alleviate the neuropathic pain induced by upregulated TRAF6 in the CCI mice model. CONCLUSION In summary, this study indicated that TRAF6 was concerned with neuropathic pain, and targeting the TRAF6/c-JUN/NF-kB pathway may be a prospective target for treating neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110136, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiegang Li
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110136, People's Republic of China
| | - Lichun Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110136, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110136, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Ouyang
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China.
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Liu J, Zhang B, Zhang G, Shang D. Reprogramming of regulatory T cells in inflammatory tumor microenvironment: can it become immunotherapy turning point? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1345838. [PMID: 38449875 PMCID: PMC10915070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1345838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and identifying widely used immunosuppressants with minimal side effects are two major challenges currently hampering cancer immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are present in almost all cancer tissues and play an important role in preserving autoimmune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. The tumor inflammatory microenvironment causes the reprogramming of Tregs, resulting in the conversion of Tregs to immunosuppressive phenotypes. This process ultimately facilitates tumor immune escape or tumor progression. However, current systemic Treg depletion therapies may lead to severe autoimmune toxicity. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of Treg reprogramming and develop immunotherapies that selectively target Tregs within tumors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the potential mechanisms involved in Treg cell reprogramming and explores the application of Treg cell immunotherapy. The interference with reprogramming pathways has shown promise in reducing the number of tumor-associated Tregs or impairing their function during immunotherapy, thereby improving anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive Treg cell reprogramming could reveal new molecular targets for future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Guolin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dong Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Jie XL, Guo H, Zhou GB. The E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 controls CTLA-4 turnover and promotes T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:97-99. [PMID: 38082145 PMCID: PMC10757707 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01105-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Liang Jie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Biao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China.
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