Arginine methylation of ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like is required for the accurate distribution of chromosomes

UBAP2L ensures homeostasis of nuclear pore complexes at the intact nuclear envelope

Assembly of macromolecular complexes at correct cellular sites is crucial for cell function. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large cylindrical assemblies with eightfold rotational symmetry, built through hierarchical binding of nucleoporins (Nups) forming distinct subcomplexes. Here, we uncover a role of ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) in the assembly and stability of properly organized and functional NPCs at the intact nuclear envelope (NE) in human cells. UBAP2L localizes to the nuclear pores and facilitates the formation of the Y-complex, an essential scaffold component of the NPC, and its localization to the NE. UBAP2L promotes the interaction of the Y-complex with POM121 and Nup153, the critical upstream factors in a well-defined sequential order of Nups assembly onto NE during interphase. Timely localization of the cytoplasmic Nup transport factor fragile X-related protein 1 (FXR1) to the NE and its interaction with the Y-complex are likewise dependent on UBAP2L. Thus, this NPC biogenesis mechanism integrates the cytoplasmic and the nuclear NPC assembly signals and ensures efficient nuclear transport, adaptation to nutrient stress, and cellular proliferative capacity, highlighting the importance of NPC homeostasis at the intact NE.

Leucine zipper protein 1 (LUZP1) regulates the constriction velocity of the contractile ring during cytokinesis

There has been a great deal of research on cell division and its mechanisms; however, its processes still have many unknowns. To find novel proteins that regulate cell division, we performed the screening using siRNAs and/or the expression plasmid of the target genes and identified leucine zipper protein 1 (LUZP1). Recent studies have shown that LUZP1 interacts with various proteins and stabilizes the actin cytoskeleton; however, the function of LUZP1 in mitosis is not known. In this study, we found that LUZP1 colocalized with the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) at the centromere in metaphase and at the central spindle in anaphase and that these LUZP1 localizations were regulated by CPC activity and kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A). Mass spectrometry analysis identified that LUZP1 interacted with death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK3), one regulator of the cleavage furrow ingression in cytokinesis. In addition, we found that LUZP1 also interacted with myosin light chain 9 (MYL9), a substrate of DAPK3, and comprehensively inhibited MYL9 phosphorylation by DAPK3. In line with a known role for MYL9 in the actin-myosin contraction, LUZP1 suppression accelerated the constriction velocity at the division plane in our time-lapse analysis. Our study indicates that LUZP1 is a novel regulator for cytokinesis that regulates the constriction velocity of the contractile ring.

A super-enhancer-regulated RNA-binding protein cascade drives pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy in need of new therapeutic options. Using unbiased analyses of super-enhancers (SEs) as sentinels of core genes involved in cell-specific function, here we uncover a druggable SE-mediated RNA-binding protein (RBP) cascade that supports PDAC growth through enhanced mRNA translation. This cascade is driven by a SE associated with the RBP heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F, which stabilizes protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) to, in turn, control the translational mediator ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like. All three of these genes and the regulatory SE are essential for PDAC growth and coordinately regulated by the Myc oncogene. In line with this, modulation of the RBP network by PRMT1 inhibition reveals a unique vulnerability in Myc-high PDAC patient organoids and markedly reduces tumor growth in male mice. Our study highlights a functional link between epigenetic regulation and mRNA translation and identifies components that comprise unexpected therapeutic targets for PDAC.

Misregulation of cell cycle-dependent methylation of budding yeast CENP-A contributes to chromosomal instability

Centromere (CEN) identity is specified epigenetically by specialized nucleosomes containing evolutionarily conserved CEN-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A (Cse4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CENP-A in humans), which is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. However, the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate Cse4 function have not been fully defined. In this study, we show that cell cycle-dependent methylation of Cse4-R37 regulates kinetochore function and high-fidelity chromosome segregation. We generated a custom antibody that specifically recognizes methylated Cse4-R37 and showed that methylation of Cse4 is cell cycle regulated with maximum levels of methylated Cse4-R37 and its enrichment at the CEN chromatin occur in the mitotic cells. Methyl-mimic cse4-R37F mutant exhibits synthetic lethality with kinetochore mutants, reduced levels of CEN-associated kinetochore proteins and chromosome instability (CIN), suggesting that mimicking the methylation of Cse4-R37 throughout the cell cycle is detrimental to faithful chromosome segregation. Our results showed that SPOUT methyltransferase Upa1 contributes to methylation of Cse4-R37 and overexpression of UPA1 leads to CIN phenotype. In summary, our studies have defined a role for cell cycle-regulated methylation of Cse4 in high-fidelity chromosome segregation and highlight an important role of epigenetic modifications such as methylation of kinetochore proteins in preventing CIN, an important hallmark of human cancers.

The association of UBAP2L and G3BP1 mediated by small nucleolar RNA is essential for stress granule formation

Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic, non-membranous structures composed of non-translating mRNAs and various proteins and play critical roles in cell survival under stressed conditions. Extensive proteomics analyses have been performed to identify proteins in SGs; however, the molecular functions of these components in SG formation remain unclear. In this report, we show that ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) is a crucial component of SGs. UBAP2L localized to SGs in response to various stresses, and its depletion significantly suppressed SG organization. Proteomics and RNA sequencing analyses found that UBAP2L formed a protein-RNA complex with Ras-GTP-activating protein SH3 domain binding protein 1 (G3BP1) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). In vitro binding analysis demonstrated that snoRNAs were required for UBAP2L association with G3BP1. In addition, decreased expression of snoRNAs reduced the interaction between UBAP2L and G3BP1 and suppressed SG formation. Our results reveal a critical role of SG component, the UBAP2L/snoRNA/G3BP1 protein-RNA complex, and provide new insights into the regulation of SG assembly.

UBAP2/UBAP2L regulate UV-induced ubiquitylation of RNA polymerase II and are the human orthologues of yeast Def1

During transcription, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) faces numerous obstacles, including DNA damage, which can lead to stalling or arrest. One mechanism to contend with this situation is ubiquitylation and degradation of the largest RNAPII subunit, RPB1 - the 'last resort' pathway. This conserved, multi-step pathway was first identified in yeast, and the functional human orthologues of all but one protein, RNAPII Degradation Factor 1 (Def1), have been discovered. Here we show that following UV-irradiation, human Ubiquitin-associated protein 2 (UBAP2) or its paralogue UBAP2-like (UBAP2L) are involved in the ubiquitylation and degradation of RNAPII through the recruitment of Elongin-Cul5 ubiquitin ligase. Together, our data indicate that UBAP2 and UBAP2L are the human orthologues of yeast Def1, and so identify the key missing proteins in the human last resort pathway.

Ubiquitin Binding Protein 2-Like (UBAP2L): is it so NICE After All?

Ubiquitin Binding Protein 2-like (UBAP2L, also known as NICE-4) is a ubiquitin- and RNA-binding protein, highly conserved in metazoans. Despite its abundance, its functions have only recently started to be characterized. Several studies have demonstrated the crucial involvement of UBAP2L in various cellular processes such as cell cycle regulation, stem cell activity and stress-response signaling. In addition, UBAP2L has recently emerged as a master regulator of growth and proliferation in several human cancers, where it is suggested to display oncogenic properties. Given that this versatile protein is involved in the regulation of multiple and distinct cellular pathways, actively contributing to the maintenance of cell homeostasis and survival, UBAP2L might represent a good candidate for future therapeutic studies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge and latest advances on elucidating UBAP2L cellular functions, with an aim to highlight the importance of targeting UBAP2L for future therapies.

UBAP2L promotes gastric cancer metastasis by activating NF-κB through PI3K/AKT pathway

Ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) is highly expressed in various types of tumors and has been shown to participate in tumor growth and metastasis; however, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. In this study, we observed that UBAP2L expression was markedly elevated in GC tissues and five GC cell lines. Higher expression of UBAP2L was associated with poor prognosis as revealed by bioinformatics analysis on online websites and laboratory experiments. Knockdown of UBAP2L impeded the migration and invasion abilities of GC cell lines. In contrast, its overexpression enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of GC cell lines. Overexpression of UBAP2L also increased the number and size of lung metastatic nodules in vivo. According to the results of mass spectrometry and pathway annotation of the identified proteins, the PI3K/AKT pathway was found to be related to UBAP2L regulation. Further exploration and rescue experiments revealed that UBAP2L stimulates the expression and nuclear aggregation of p65 and promotes the expression of SP1 by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. In summary, our findings indicate that UBAP2L regulates GC metastasis through the PI3K/AKT/SP1/NF-κB axis. Thus, targeting UBAP2L may be a potential therapeutic strategy for GC.

Fish Oil, Plant Polyphenols, and Their Combinations Have No Tumor Growth Promoting Effects on Human Lung and Colon Carcinoma Xenograft Mice

The goal of this study was to evaluate if combinations of ingredients with known anti-cachexia benefits (Fish oil-FO with either curcumin or Green tea extract-GTE), have adverse effects on tumor growth, using human carcinoma xenograft mice models. FO (EPA/DHA 360 mg/kg bw), GTE (90 mg/kg bw), and curcumin (180 mg/kg bw) were administered orally, alone or in combination, to nude mice bearing either A549 human non-small cell lung carcinoma or SW620 human colon carcinoma tumors. Bodyweight, tumor growth, survival time, and other clinical endpoints were assessed. The ingredients either alone or in combinations were well tolerated in both lung and colon tumor-bearing mice. There were no significant group differences between individual or combination treatments for tumor growth (A549 or SW620) as measured by the median time in days to endpoint of tumor volume (TTE). TTE results indicate that these ingredients (alone or combinations) did not adversely impact tumor growth. No significant differences in body weights or survival were observed between controls and treatment groups indicating no adverse health effects of the ingredients. In conclusion, FO, GTE or curcumin administered as monotherapies and in combination were well tolerated and displayed no adverse effects on tumor growth in mouse xenograft models of lung and colon cancer.

Heritable Variants in the Chromosome 1q22 Locus Increase Gastric Cancer Risk via Altered Chromatin Looping and Increased UBAP2L Expression

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated the 1q22 gastric cancer risk locus in disease, but little is known about its underlying oncogenic functions. This study represents a systematic investigation of the biological significance and potential mechanism associated with the gastric cancer risk of SNP rs2075570(C>T) in 1q22. We identified two functional germline variations (rs2049805-C and rs2974931-G) in an active enhancer in a 64.8 kb high-linkage disequilibrium block of rs2075570. The enhancer upregulated ubiquitin associated protein 2 like (UBAP2L) gene expression over a 960 kb distance by chromatin looping. Gastric cancer tissues expressed significantly higher levels of UBAP2L than was observed in the matched noncancerous tissues, and the UBAP2L expression was negatively correlated with patient survival. Downregulation of UBAP2L inhibited the proliferation and invasion of human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. Notably, the two mutant variations significantly enforced the enhancer activity and UBAP2L expression. In conclusion, this study revealed two causal variations in the 1q22 region using tag-SNP rs2075570 as a genetic marker. These variations may affect the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer by reinforcing the expression of the 1q22-Enh enhancer-regulated UBAP2L target gene. IMPLICATIONS: Our study provides an important clue of how noncoding germline variations contribute to gastric cancer, which gives a novel insight into understanding the genetic mechanism of gastric cancer.

Post-Translational Modification of MRE11: Its Implication in DDR and Diseases

Maintaining genomic stability is vital for cells as well as individual organisms. The meiotic recombination-related gene MRE11 (meiotic recombination 11) is essential for preserving genomic stability through its important roles in the resection of broken DNA ends, DNA damage response (DDR), DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair, and telomere maintenance. The post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and methylation, regulate directly the function of MRE11 and endow MRE11 with capabilities to respond to cellular processes in promptly, precisely, and with more diversified manners. Here in this paper, we focus primarily on the PTMs of MRE11 and their roles in DNA response and repair, maintenance of genomic stability, as well as their association with diseases such as cancer.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase (PRMT) Inhibitors-AMI-1 and SAH Are Effective in Attenuating Rhabdomyosarcoma Growth and Proliferation in Cell Cultures

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue cancer that develops mostly in children and young adults. With regard to histopathology, four rhabdomyosarcoma types are distinguishable: embryonal, alveolar, pleomorphic and spindle/sclerosing. Currently, increased amounts of evidence indicate that not only gene mutations, but also epigenetic modifications may be involved in the development of RMS. Epigenomic changes regulate the chromatin architecture and affect the interaction between DNA strands, histones and chromatin binding proteins, thus, are able to control gene expression. The main aim of the study was to assess the role of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) in the cellular biology of rhabdomyosarcoma. In the study we used two pan-inhibitors of PRMT, called AMI-1 and SAH, and evaluated their effects on proliferation and apoptosis of RMS cells. We observed that AMI-1 and SAH reduce the invasive phenotype of rhabdomyosarcoma cells by decreasing their proliferation rate, cell viability and ability to form cell colonies. In addition, microarray analysis revealed that these inhibitors attenuate the activity of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and affect expression of genes related to it.

Protein arginine methyltransferases: promising targets for cancer therapy

Protein methylation, a post-translational modification (PTM), is observed in a wide variety of cell types from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. With recent and rapid advancements in epigenetic research, the importance of protein methylation has been highlighted. The methylation of histone proteins that contributes to the epigenetic histone code is not only dynamic but is also finely controlled by histone methyltransferases and demethylases, which are essential for the transcriptional regulation of genes. In addition, many nonhistone proteins are methylated, and these modifications govern a variety of cellular functions, including RNA processing, translation, signal transduction, DNA damage response, and the cell cycle. Recently, the importance of protein arginine methylation, especially in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair processes, has been noted. Since the dysregulation of protein arginine methylation is closely associated with cancer development, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) have garnered significant interest as novel targets for anticancer drug development. Indeed, several PRMT inhibitors are in phase 1/2 clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the biological functions of PRMTs in cancer and the current development status of PRMT inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Large-scale tethered function assays identify factors that regulate mRNA stability and translation

The molecular functions of the majority of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) remain unclear, highlighting a major bottleneck to a full understanding of gene expression regulation. Here, we develop a plasmid resource of 690 human RBPs that we subject to luciferase-based 3'-untranslated-region tethered function assays to pinpoint RBPs that regulate RNA stability or translation. Enhanced UV-cross-linking and immunoprecipitation of these RBPs identifies thousands of endogenous mRNA targets that respond to changes in RBP level, recapitulating effects observed in tethered function assays. Among these RBPs, the ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) protein interacts with RNA via its RGG domain and cross-links to mRNA and rRNA. Fusion of UBAP2L to RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas9 demonstrates programmable translational enhancement. Polysome profiling indicates that UBAP2L promotes translation of target mRNAs, particularly global regulators of translation. Our tethering survey allows rapid assignment of the molecular activity of proteins, such as UBAP2L, to specific steps of mRNA metabolism.

MicroRNA-19a-3p inhibits the cellular proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by downregulating UBAP2L

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as important regulators of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by directly regulating their target genes. The aim of the present study was to assess the biological role of miR-19a-3p in NSCLC. It was revealed that miR-19a-3p expression was significantly downregulated in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines compared with normal tissues and lung epithelial cells. In addition, a lower miR-19a-3p expression was significantly associated with Tumor Node Metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, the upregulation of miR-19a-3p in NSCLC cell lines significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as determined using an MTT, colony formation, wound healing and transwell Matrigel invasion assays, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay and western blotting determined that ubiquitin associated protein 2 like (UBAP2L) was a direct target of miR-19a-3p and could be inhibited through the upregulation of miR-19a-3p in NSCLC. In addition, UBAP2L silencing induced similar effects to those observed following miR-19a-3p overexpression. The overexpression of UBAP2L partially reversed the effects of miR-19a-3p on NSCLC cell lines. Collectively, these data indicated that miR-19a-3p may serve as a tumor suppressor partly through the regulation of UBAP2L expression in NSCLC and that the targeting of miR-19a-3p may be a novel method for NSCLC treatment.

Clinical Significance of Ubiquitin-associated Protein 2-like in Patients With Uterine Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND

Ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) has been demonstrated to be associated with the progression of multiple types of cancer. However, the function of UBAP2L in uterine cervical cancer remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2015, 84 patients who underwent surgery were included in this study. The patients were stratified into two groups on the basis of immunohistochemical staining for UBAP2L, and survival analysis was performed. Moreover, loss-of-function analysis was performed using the cervical cancer cell lines CaSki and SiHa.

RESULTS

Based on immunohistochemistry, the overall survival in patients with low UBAP2L expression was significantly longer than that of those with high UBAP2L expression (p=0.045). The in vitro experiment revealed that knockdown of UBAP2L remarkably inhibited cell proliferation in both live cell imaging and the MTS assay.

CONCLUSION

Patients with high UBAP2L expression had unfavorable prognosis and UBAP2L appears to play an important role in proliferation.

UBAP2L arginine methylation by PRMT1 modulates stress granule assembly

Stress granules (SGs) are discrete assemblies of stalled messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) that form when eukaryotic cells encounter environmental stress. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) mediate their condensation by recruiting populations of mRNPs. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the role of ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) in the regulation of SG dynamics remain elusive. Here, we show that UBAP2L is required for both SG assembly and disassembly. UBAP2L overexpression nucleated SGs under stress-null conditions. The UBAP2L Arg–Gly–Gly (RGG) motif was required for SG competence, and mediated the recruitment of SG components, including mRNPs, RBPs, and ribosomal subunits. The domain of unknown function (DUF) of UBAP2L-mediated interaction with ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein (G3BP)1/2, and its deletion caused the cytoplasmic–nuclear transport of UBAP2L and G3BP1/2, thereby compromising SG formation. The protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 asymmetrically dimethylated UBAP2L by targeting the RGG motif. Increased arginine methylation blocked, whereas its decrease enhanced UBAP2L interactions with SG components, ablating and promoting SG assembly, respectively. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms by which UBAP2L regulates SG dynamics and RNA metabolism.

Knockdown of Ubiquitin Associated Protein 2-Like (UBAP2L) Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the influence of ubiquitin associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) on the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its potential underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS UBAP2L gene was knocked down in SMMC-7721 by RNA interference and cell function experiments were performed. A subcutaneous xenograft tumor model was constructed to examine the effect of UBAP2L silence on HCC growth. Finally, the whole genomic microarrays were used to screen the potential mechanism of UBAP2L in regulating the biological function of HCC. RESULTS Compared with those in the control group, the cell proliferation and clone formation were significantly reduced, cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase, the number of apoptotic cells was remarkably increased, and the abilities of vascular formation and cell migration and metastasis were dramatically weakened in the shUBAP2L group (All P<0.05). UBAP2L knockdown significantly suppressed the tumor growth of HCC in vivo. Moreover, a total of 320 genes changed significantly after UBAP2L knockdown, among which, 159 genes were upregulated and 161 genes were downregulated. Then, gene enrichment analysis revealed that PI3K/AKT and P53 signal pathway were the most significant in the top 10 enrichments. Finally, Western blot analysis verified that UBAP2L knockdown caused the increase of P21 and PTEN and decrease of CDK1, CCNB1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT. CONCLUSIONS UBAP2L plays an oncogenic role in HCC, and knockdown of its expression significantly inhibits HCC growth and metastasis, which may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT and P53 signaling pathways by UBAP2L.

Protein arginine methylation: an emerging regulator of the cell cycle

Protein arginine methylation is a common post-translational modification where a methyl group is added onto arginine residues of a protein to alter detection by its binding partners or regulate its activity. It is known to be involved in many biological processes, such as regulation of signal transduction, transcription, facilitation of protein–protein interactions, RNA splicing and transport. The enzymes responsible for arginine methylation, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), have been shown to methylate or associate with important regulatory proteins of the cell cycle and DNA damage repair pathways, such as cyclin D1, p53, p21 and the retinoblastoma protein. Overexpression of PRMTs resulting in aberrant methylation patterns in cancers often correlates with poor recovery prognosis. This indicates that protein arginine methylation is also an important regulator of the cell cycle, and consequently a target for cancer regulation. The effect of protein arginine methylation on the cell cycle and how this emerging key player of cell cycle regulation may be used in therapeutic strategies for cancer are the focus of this review.

UBAP2L silencing inhibits cell proliferation and G2/M phase transition in breast cancer

Background

Ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) contains a ubiquitin-associated domain near its N-terminus, which has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in multiple tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma but its role has not been well studied in breast cancer. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate whether UBAP2L can serve as a potential molecular target for breast cancer therapy.

Methods

The expression of UBAP2L was determined in breast cancer tissues and cell lines by Western blotting and Oncomine database mining. Then the expression of UBAP2L was silenced using RNA interference and the effects of UBAP2L knockdown on breast cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by MTT and colony formation assay, and Flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

We found the expression of UBAP2L was significantly up-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of UBAP2L suppressed cell proliferation, impaired colony formation ability and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. At molecular levels, knockdown of UBAP2L increased p21 expression, but decreased the expression of CDK1 and Cyclin B1 in breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that UBAP2L plays an important role in breast cancer cell proliferation and might serve as a potential target for breast cancer treatment.

UBAP2L is amplified in a large subset of human lung adenocarcinoma and is critical for epithelial lung cell identity and tumor metastasis

The ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) gene remains poorly studied in human and mouse development. UBAP2L interacts with the Polycomb group protein B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) and determines the activity of mouse hematopoietic stem cells in vivo Here we show that loss of Ubap2l leads to disorganized respiratory epithelium of mutant neonates, which die of respiratory failure. We also show that UBAP2L overexpression leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenotype in a non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell line. UBAP2L is amplified in 15% of human primary lung adenocarcinoma specimens. Such patients express higher levels of UBAP2L and show a reduction in survival when compared with those who do not have this gene amplification. Supporting a possible role for UBAP2L in lung tumor progression, NSCLC cells engineered to express low levels of this gene produce much smaller tumors in vivo than wild-type control cells. Together, these results suggest that UBAP2L contributes to epithelial lung cell identity in mice and that it plays an important role in human lung adenocarcinoma.-Aucagne, R., Girard, S., Mayotte, N., Lehnertz, B., Lopes-Paciencia, S., Gendron, P., Boucher, G., Chagraoui, J., Sauvageau, G. UBAP2L is amplified in a large subset of human lung adenocarcinoma and is critical for epithelial lung cell identity and tumor metastasis.