1
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Jové V, Wheeler H, Lee CW, Healy DR, Levine K, Ralph EC, Yamaguchi M, Jiang ZK, Cabral E, Xu Y, Stock J, Yang B, Giddabasappa A, Loria P, Casimiro-Garcia A, Kessler BM, Pinto-Fernández A, Frattini V, Wes PD, Wang F. Type I interferon regulation by USP18 is a key vulnerability in cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109593. [PMID: 38632987 PMCID: PMC11022047 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise regulation of Type I interferon signaling is crucial for combating infection and cancer while avoiding autoimmunity. Type I interferon signaling is negatively regulated by USP18. USP18 cleaves ISG15, an interferon-induced ubiquitin-like modification, via its canonical catalytic function, and inhibits Type I interferon receptor activity through its scaffold role. USP18 loss-of-function dramatically impacts immune regulation, pathogen susceptibility, and tumor growth. However, prior studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the relative importance of catalytic versus scaffold function. Here, we develop biochemical and cellular methods to systematically define the physiological role of USP18. By comparing a patient-derived mutation impairing scaffold function (I60N) to a mutation disrupting catalytic activity (C64S), we demonstrate that scaffold function is critical for cancer cell vulnerability to Type I interferon. Surprisingly, we discovered that human USP18 exhibits minimal catalytic activity, in stark contrast to mouse USP18. These findings resolve human USP18's mechanism-of-action and enable USP18-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Jové
- Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer, New York City, NY 10016, USA
| | - Heather Wheeler
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - David R. Healy
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Kymberly Levine
- Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer, New York City, NY 10016, USA
| | - Erik C. Ralph
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Masaya Yamaguchi
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - Edward Cabral
- Comparative Medicine, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA 92121, USA
| | - Yingrong Xu
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Jeffrey Stock
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Comparative Medicine, Pfizer, La Jolla, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - Paula Loria
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - Benedikt M. Kessler
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Adán Pinto-Fernández
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Véronique Frattini
- Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer, New York City, NY 10016, USA
| | - Paul D. Wes
- Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, Pfizer, New York City, NY 10016, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Discovery Sciences, Medicine Design, Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA
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2
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Davis GJ, Omole AO, Jung Y, Rut W, Holewinski R, Suazo KF, Kim HR, Yang M, Andresson T, Drag M, Yoo E. Chemical tools to define and manipulate interferon-inducible Ubl protease USP18. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588544. [PMID: 38645224 PMCID: PMC11030383 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is a multifunctional cysteine protease primarily responsible for deconjugating interferon-inducible ubiquitin-like (Ubl) modifier ISG15 from protein substrates. Here, we report the design and synthesis of activity-based probes (ABPs) capable of selectively detecting USP18 activity over other ISG15 cross-reactive deubiquitinases (DUBs) by incorporating unnatural amino acids into the C-terminal tail of ISG15. Combining with a ubiquitin-based DUB ABP, the selective USP18 ABP is employed in a chemoproteomic screening platform to identify and assess inhibitors of DUBs including USP18. We further demonstrate that USP18 ABPs can be utilized to profile differential activities of USP18 in lung cancer cell lines, providing a strategy that will help define the activity-related landscape of USP18 in different disease states and unravel important (de)ISGylation-dependent biological processes.
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3
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Clancy A, Rusilowicz-Jones EV, Wallace I, Swatek KN, Urbé S, Clague MJ. ISGylation-independent protection of cell growth by USP18 following interferon stimulation. Biochem J 2023; 480:1571-1581. [PMID: 37756534 PMCID: PMC10586769 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 interferon stimulation highly up-regulates all elements of a ubiquitin-like conjugation system that leads to ISGylation of target proteins. An ISG15-specific member of the deubiquitylase family, USP18, is up-regulated in a co-ordinated manner. USP18 can also provide a negative feedback by inhibiting JAK-STAT signalling through protein interactions independently of DUB activity. Here, we provide an acute example of this phenomenon, whereby the early expression of USP18, post-interferon treatment of HCT116 colon cancer cells is sufficient to fully suppress the expression of the ISG15 E1 enzyme, UBA7. Stimulation of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells with interferon reduces their growth rate but they remain viable. In contrast, A549 USP18 knock-out cells show similar growth characteristics under basal conditions, but upon interferon stimulation, a profound inhibition of cell growth is observed. We show that this contingency on USP18 is independent of ISGylation, suggesting non-catalytic functions are required for viability. We also demonstrate that global deISGylation kinetics are very slow compared with deubiquitylation. This is not influenced by USP18 expression, suggesting that enhanced ISGylation in USP18 KO cells reflects increased conjugating activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Clancy
- Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K
| | - Emma V. Rusilowicz-Jones
- Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K
| | - Iona Wallace
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Kirby N. Swatek
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Sylvie Urbé
- Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K
| | - Michael J. Clague
- Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown St., Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K
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4
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Guo Z, Guo L. Tumor-promoting action of ubiquitin protease 43 in gastric cancer progression through deubiquitination and stabilization of stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1. Exp Cell Res 2023; 430:113714. [PMID: 37442266 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the 5th most common cancer over the world. Ubiquitin protease 43 (UBP43) is a multifunctional protein with deubiquitinase activities. Abnormal expression of UBP43 has been reported in numerous types of malignancies. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (Fold change ≥2 or ≤ -2 and p < 0.01) in GC from the datasets downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis databases, which showed that UBP43 and stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) were up-regulated in both datasets. Online databases displayed the binding of UBP43 to STIP1 and the positive correlation between the two proteins. This study aims to explore: the role of UBP43 in cell proliferation and apoptosis in GC; the relationship between UBP43 and STIP1; and whether UBP43 exerts its function via STIP1 in GC. Knockdown/overexpression stable GC cell lines were generated by transducing lentivirus carrying coding sequence/short hairpin RNA of UBP43 and puromycin selection. GC patients with higher expressions of UBP43 had poor prognosis. Loss-/gain-of-function experiments revealed that pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic abilities of UBP43 in GC cells and xenografts. UBP43 could interact with STIP1, inhibit its ubiquitination, and promote its protein stability, thereby enhancing STIP1 expression. Moreover, STIP1 knockdown reversed the pro-proliferative ability of UBP43 in GC cells. Our study uncovers that the pro-proliferative role of UBP43 in GC development is STIP1-dependent and indicates that UBP43 may act as a potent therapeutic target in GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Guo
- Department of Operating Room, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China.
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5
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Xie H, Chen J, Ma C, Zhao J, Cui M. UBP43 promotes epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis via activation of β-catenin signaling pathway. Cell Biol Int 2023. [PMID: 37186433 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the deubiquitinating protease, UBP43, has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancer. Here, we evaluated the functional significance and mechanism of action of UBP43 in epithelial ovarian cancer. We found that UBP43 was significantly upregulated in the tumor tissues of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Similar results were observed in OVCAR-3, Caov-3, TOV-112D, A2780, and SK-OV-3 cells. Furthermore, in vitro functional assays of A2780 and TOV-112D cells demonstrated that UBP43 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Upregulation of UBP43 might result in epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inducing the nuclear transport of β-catenin, which was accompanied by enhanced N-cadherin but decreased E-cadherin expression. These malignant phenotypes were reversed by UBP43 silencing. Further investigation revealed that the knockdown of UBP43 inhibited cell proliferation by inducing a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. The oncogenic characteristics of UBP43 were validated in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. In vivo, tumor growth was delayed in the UBP43-silenced group but accelerated after UBP43 overexpression. Finally, we demonstrated that β-catenin is a key protein in the UBP43-mediated malignant development of epithelial ovarian cancer. Specifically, overexpression of UBP43 decreased the ubiquitination degradation of β-catenin and enhanced its protein stability. Also, we observed that the downstream genes of beta-catenin such as cyclin D1, MMP2, and MMP9 were upregulated due to UBP43 overexpression. Thus, we concluded that UBP43 promoted epithelial ovarian cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis through activation of the β-catenin pathway, suggesting that UBP43 may be a potential therapeutic target for this intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyang Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Changyan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Manhua Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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6
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Olie CS, Pinto-Fernández A, Damianou A, Vendrell I, Mei H, den Hamer B, van der Wal E, de Greef JC, Raz V, Kessler BM. USP18 is an essential regulator of muscle cell differentiation and maturation. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:231. [PMID: 37002195 PMCID: PMC10066380 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05725-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasomal system is a critical regulator of muscle physiology, and impaired UPS is key in many muscle pathologies. Yet, little is known about the function of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in the muscle cell context. We performed a genetic screen to identify DUBs as potential regulators of muscle cell differentiation. Surprisingly, we observed that the depletion of ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) affected the differentiation of muscle cells. USP18 depletion first stimulated differentiation initiation. Later, during differentiation, the absence of USP18 expression abrogated myotube maintenance. USP18 enzymatic function typically attenuates the immune response by removing interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) from protein substrates. However, in muscle cells, we found that USP18, predominantly nuclear, regulates differentiation independent of ISG15 and the ISG response. Exploring the pattern of RNA expression profiles and protein networks whose levels depend on USP18 expression, we found that differentiation initiation was concomitant with reduced expression of the cell-cycle gene network and altered expression of myogenic transcription (co) factors. We show that USP18 depletion altered the calcium channel gene network, resulting in reduced calcium flux in myotubes. Additionally, we show that reduced expression of sarcomeric proteins in the USP18 proteome was consistent with reduced contractile force in an engineered muscle model. Our results revealed nuclear USP18 as a critical regulator of differentiation initiation and maintenance, independent of ISG15 and its role in the ISG response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyriel Sebastiaan Olie
- Human Genetics department, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Adán Pinto-Fernández
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Andreas Damianou
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Iolanda Vendrell
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bianca den Hamer
- Human Genetics department, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik van der Wal
- Human Genetics department, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica C de Greef
- Human Genetics department, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vered Raz
- Human Genetics department, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Benedikt M Kessler
- Chinese Academy for Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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7
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Chen Z, Zheng L, Chen Y, Liu X, Kawakami M, Mustachio LM, Roszik J, Ferry-Galow KV, Parchment RE, Liu X, Andresson T, Duncan G, Kurie JM, Rodriguez-Canales J, Liu X, Dmitrovsky E. Loss of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 destabilizes 14-3-3ζ protein and represses lung cancer metastasis. Cancer Biol Ther 2022; 23:265-280. [PMID: 35387560 PMCID: PMC8993103 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2022.2054242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Strategies to reduce metastases are needed especially in lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer mortality. We previously reported increased ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) expression in lung and other cancers. Engineered reduction of USP18 expression repressed lung cancer growth and promoted apoptosis. This deubiquitinase (DUB) stabilized targeted proteins by removing the complex interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15). This study explores if the loss of USP18 reduced lung cancer metastasis. USP18 knock-down in lung cancer cells was independently achieved using small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). USP18 knock-down reduced lung cancer growth, wound-healing, migration, and invasion versus controls (P < .001) and markedly decreased murine lung cancer metastases (P < .001). Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPAs) in shRNA knock-down lung cancer cells showed that 14-3-3ζ protein was regulated by loss of USP18. ISG15 complexed with 14-3-3ζ protein reducing its stability. Survival in lung adenocarcinomas (P < .0015) and other cancers was linked to elevated 14-3-3ζ expression as assessed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The findings were confirmed and extended using 14-3-3ζ immunohistochemical assays of human lung cancer arrays and syngeneic murine lung cancer metastasis models. A direct 14-3-3ζ role in controlling lung cancer metastasis came from engineered 14-3-3ζ knock-down in lung cancer cell lines and 14-3-3ζ rescue experiments that reversed migration and invasion inhibition. Findings presented here revealed that USP18 controlled metastasis by regulating 14-3-3ζ expression. These data provide a strong rationale for developing a USP18 inhibitor to combat metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibo Chen
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Lin Zheng
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yulong Chen
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiuxia Liu
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Roszik
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katherine V Ferry-Galow
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ralph E Parchment
- Clinical Pharmacodynamic Program, Applied/Developmental Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Gerard Duncan
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan M Kurie
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Xi Liu
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.,Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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8
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Tecalco-Cruz AC, Ramírez-Jarquín JO, Zepeda-Cervantes J, Solleiro-Villavicencio H, Abraham-Juárez MJ. Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 18: A Multifaceted Protein Participating in Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer 2022. [DOI: 10.36255/exon-publications-breast-cancer-usp18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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9
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Mirzalieva O, Juncker M, Schwartzenburg J, Desai S. ISG15 and ISGylation in Human Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030538. [PMID: 35159348 PMCID: PMC8834048 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFNs) induce the expression of >500 genes, which are collectively called ISGs (IFN-stimulated genes). One of the earliest ISGs induced by IFNs is ISG15 (Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15). Free ISG15 protein synthesized from the ISG15 gene is post-translationally conjugated to cellular proteins and is also secreted by cells into the extracellular milieu. ISG15 comprises two ubiquitin-like domains (UBL1 and UBL2), each of which bears a striking similarity to ubiquitin, accounting for its earlier name ubiquitin cross-reactive protein (UCRP). Like ubiquitin, ISG15 harbors a characteristic β-grasp fold in both UBL domains. UBL2 domain has a conserved C-terminal Gly-Gly motif through which cellular proteins are appended via an enzymatic cascade similar to ubiquitylation called ISGylation. ISG15 protein is minimally expressed under physiological conditions. However, its IFN-dependent expression is aberrantly elevated or compromised in various human diseases, including multiple types of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders (Ataxia Telangiectasia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), inflammatory diseases (Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD), bacteriopathy and viropathy), and in the lumbar spinal cords of veterans exposed to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). ISG15 and ISGylation have both inhibitory and/or stimulatory roles in the etiology and pathogenesis of human diseases. Thus, ISG15 is considered a “double-edged sword” for human diseases in which its expression is elevated. Because of the roles of ISG15 and ISGylation in cancer cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis, conferring anti-cancer drug sensitivity to tumor cells, and its elevated expression in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and veterans exposed to TBI, both ISG15 and ISGylation are now considered diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for these ailments. In the current review, we shall cover the exciting journey of ISG15, spanning three decades from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shyamal Desai
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-504-568-4388; Fax: +1-504-568-2093
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10
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USP18 promotes the growth in hemangiomas by regulating PI3K/AKT pathway. Mol Cell Toxicol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-021-00146-5] [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]
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11
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Zhang L, Zhang N, Li X, Wu W, Zhang Y, Wang J. High expression of USP18 is associated with the growth of colorectal carcinoma. Histol Histopathol 2021; 36:697-704. [PMID: 34042164 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate whether USP18 can be used as a predictive marker for the diagnosis and development of colorectal cancer. METHODS The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Dataset and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to select differential proteins for the ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs). The extensive target prediction and network analysis methods were used to assess the association with the USP18 interacting proteins, as well as the statistical correlation between USP18 and the clinical pathology parameters. The effects of USP18 on the proliferation of colorectal cancer were examined using CCK8. The effects of USP18 on the migration of colorectal cancer were examined using wound healing assays. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on the tissue microarray. RESULTS The results showed that the expression of USP18 was related to age (P=0.014). The positive rates of the USP18 protein in T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 0.00%, 22.92%, 78.38%, and 95.35%, respectively (P<0.00). The positive rates of the USP18 protein in I, II, III, and IV were 47.43%, 83.12%, 66.67%, and 100.00%, respectively (P<0.00). The Western blot assay showed that the expression of USP18 in colorectal cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in matched paracancerous tissues (P<0.05). The CCK8 experiments suggested that USP18 promoted the migration of CRC cells. Wound healing assays suggested that USP18 promoted the proliferation of CRC cells. CONCLUSION This study showed that USP18 can promote the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and might be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ningning Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanxin Wu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University/The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Liu X, Lu Y, Chen Z, Liu X, Hu W, Zheng L, Chen Y, Kurie JM, Shi M, Mustachio LM, Adresson T, Fox S, Roszik J, Kawakami M, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. The Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase USP18 Promotes Lipolysis, Fatty Acid Oxidation, and Lung Cancer Growth. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:667-677. [PMID: 33380466 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin specific peptidase 18 (USP18), previously known as UBP43, is the IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) deconjugase. USP18 removes ISG15 from substrate proteins. This study reports that USP18-null mice (vs. wild-type mice) exhibited lower lipolysis rates, altered fat to body weight ratios, and cold sensitivity. USP18 is a regulator of lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Prior work established that USP18 promotes lung tumorigenesis. We sought to learn whether this occurs through altered lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Loss of USP18 repressed adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) expression; gain of USP18 expression upregulated ATGL in lung cancer cells. The E1-like ubiquitin activating enzyme promoted ISG15 conjugation of ATGL and destabilization. Immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that ISG15 covalently conjugates to ATGL. Protein expression of thermogenic regulators was examined in brown fat of USP18-null versus wild-type mice. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was repressed in USP18-null fat. Gain of USP18 expression augmented UCP1 protein via reduced ubiquitination. Gain of UCP1 expression in lung cancer cell lines enhanced cellular proliferation. UCP1 knockdown inhibited proliferation. Beta-hydroxybutyrate colorimetric assays performed after gain of UCP1 expression revealed increased cellular fatty acid beta-oxidation, augmenting fatty acid beta-oxidation in Seahorse assays. Combined USP18, ATGL, and UCP1 profiles were interrogated in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Intriguingly, lung cancers with increased USP18, ATGL, and UCP1 expression had an unfavorable survival. These findings reveal that USP18 is a pharmacologic target that controls fatty acid metabolism. IMPLICATIONS: USP18 is an antineoplastic target that affects lung cancer fatty acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Yun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Zibo Chen
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Xiuxia Liu
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Weiguo Hu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yulong Chen
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jonathan M Kurie
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Mi Shi
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Thorkell Adresson
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Stephen Fox
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. .,Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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13
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Wang X, Cheng Y, Yan LL, An R, Wang XY, Wang HY. Exploring DNA Methylation Profiles Altered in Cryptogenic Hepatocellular Carcinomas by High-Throughput Targeted DNA Methylation Sequencing: A Preliminary Study for Cryptogenic Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:9901-9916. [PMID: 33116575 PMCID: PMC7547808 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s267812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) includes cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinomas (CR-HCC) that lack a defined cause. Specific DNA methylation patterns and comparisons of the aberrant alterations in DNA methylation between CR-HCC and adjacent peritumor tissues (APTs) have not yet been reported. Methods The SureSelectXT Methyl-Seq Target Enrichment System was used to sequence targeted DNA methylation in three paired CR-HCC tissues and APTs. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were performed to investigate the DNA methylation mechanism of CR-HCC. The mRNA expression levels of HOXB-AS3, HOXB6, HOXB3, USP18, MAP3K6, TIRAP, TNNI2, SHC3, CTTN, and TFAP2A, selected from the identified signaling pathways, were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results A total of 1728 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues, of which 868 DMRs were hypermethylated and 860 were hypomethylated. The DMRs were mapped within 2091 DMR-associated genes (DMGs). The mRNA expression of HOXB-AS3, HOXB3, and MAP3K6 was downregulated in CR-HCC tissues compared to the APTs. However, the mRNA expression of TIRAP, SHC3, and CTTN was upregulated in the CR-HCC tissues. Differences between the mRNA expression of HOXB6, USP18, TNNI2, and TFAP2A in the CR-HCC and APTS tissues were not statistically significant. GO analysis showed that the molecular functions of “binding”, “protein binding”, and “cytoskeletal protein binding” were the main categories for the hypermethylated DMGs. The hypomethylated DMGs were mostly enriched in the molecular functions “binding”, “protein binding”, “calcium ion binding”, among others. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the hypermethylated DMGs were enriched in several pathways such as “estrogen signaling pathway”, while hypomethylated DMGs were enriched in several pathways such as “proteoglycans in cancer”, suggesting that epigenetic modifications play important roles in the cryptogenic hepatocarcinogenesis. Conclusion These results provide useful information for future work to characterize the functions of epigenetic mechanisms on CR-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Cheng
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang-Liang Yan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran An
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Yu Wang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng-Yi Wang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, People's Republic of China
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14
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Kang JA, Jeon YJ. Emerging Roles of USP18: From Biology to Pathophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186825. [PMID: 32957626 PMCID: PMC7555095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic proteomes are enormously sophisticated through versatile post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins. A large variety of code generated via PTMs of proteins by ubiquitin (ubiquitination) and ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls), such as interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) and neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 8 (NEDD8), not only provides distinct signals but also orchestrates a plethora of biological processes, thereby underscoring the necessity for sophisticated and fine-tuned mechanisms of code regulation. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) play a pivotal role in the disassembly of the complex code and removal of the signal. Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), originally referred to as UBP43, is a major DUB that reverses the PTM of target proteins by ISG15 (ISGylation). Intriguingly, USP18 is a multifaceted protein that not only removes ISG15 or ubiquitin from conjugated proteins in a deconjugating activity-dependent manner but also acts as a negative modulator of type I IFN signaling, irrespective of its catalytic activity. The function of USP18 has become gradually clear, but not yet been completely addressed. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the multifaceted roles of USP18. We also highlight new insights into how USP18 is implicated not only in physiology but also in pathogenesis of various human diseases, involving infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and cancers. Eventually, we integrate a discussion of the potential of therapeutic interventions for targeting USP18 for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji An Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea;
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Young Joo Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea;
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-42-280-6766; Fax: +82-42-280-6769
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15
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Tong HV, Hoan NX, Binh MT, Quyen DT, Meyer CG, Hang DTT, Hang DTD, Son HA, Van Luong H, Thuan ND, Giang NT, Quyet D, Bang MH, Song LH, Velavan TP, Toan NL. Upregulation of Enzymes involved in ISGylation and Ubiquitination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:347-353. [PMID: 32132870 PMCID: PMC7053354 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.39823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: ISGylation is the conjugation of ISG15 with target proteins. ISGylation occurs through an enzymatic cascade, which is similar to that of ubiquitination. Through ISGylation, ISG15 can bind to proteins involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, thus promoting genesis and progression of malignancies. The present study aims to investigate expression of genes involved in ISGylation and ubiquitination in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to correlate gene expression with clinical laboratory parameters of these patients. Methods: mRNA expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the ISGylation process (EFP, HERC5, UBA1, UBC and USP18) was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR in 38 pairs of tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and correlated with distinct clinical laboratory parameters. Results: Relative mRNA expression of EFP, HERC5, UBA1 and USP18 was significantly higher in tumour tissues compared to adjacent non-tumour tissues (P=0.006; 0.012; 0.02 and 0.039, respectively). The correlation pattern of mRNA expression between genes in the tumours differed from the pattern in adjacent non-tumour tissues. Relative expression of EFP, HERC5 and UBA1 in adjacent non-tumour tissues was positively associated with direct bilirubin levels (Spearman's rho=0.31, 0.33 and 0.45; P=0.06, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) and relative expression of USP18 in adjacent non-tumour tissues correlated negatively with ALT levels (Spearman's rho= -0.33, P=0.03). Conclusions: EFP, HERC5, UBA1, and USP18 genes are upregulated in tumour tissues of patients with HCC and, thus, may be associated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Van Tong
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Department of Pathophysiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nghiem Xuan Hoan
- 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mai Thanh Binh
- 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dao Thanh Quyen
- 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Christian G Meyer
- Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Dinh Thi Thu Hang
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Ho Anh Son
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Department of Pathophysiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Van Luong
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nghiem Duc Thuan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Truong Giang
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Do Quyet
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Le Huu Song
- 108 Military Central Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Vietnamese-German Center of Excellence in Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Linh Toan
- Department of Pathophysiology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
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16
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Han HG, Moon HW, Jeon YJ. ISG15 in cancer: Beyond ubiquitin-like protein. Cancer Lett 2018; 438:52-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Tan Y, Zhou G, Wang X, Chen W, Gao H. USP18 promotes breast cancer growth by upregulating EGFR and activating the AKT/Skp2 pathway. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:371-383. [PMID: 29749454 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP)18 may act as an oncogene in various types of cancer. Although the role of USP18 in breast cancer cell lines has been elucidated, the underlying mechanisms and clinical role of USP18 in breast cancer are currently not well understood. The bioinformatics analysis and experimental results of the present study demonstrated that aberrant promoter methylation led to increased expression of USP18 in breast cancer. In addition, correlation analysis suggested that a negative correlation between methylation and USP18 mRNA expression was observed in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. USP18 promoted cell proliferation, colony formation and cell cycle progression in vitro. Furthermore, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis results demonstrated that USP18 may be negatively associated with apoptosis in patients with breast cancer. Bioinformatics analysis results indicated that USP18 was also revealed to be associated with the protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and mammary tumorigenesis in vivo. In addition, the results indicated that USP18 may promote the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated EGF receptor (EGFR)/AKT/S‑phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) pathway by upregulating EGFR and Skp2 in a AKT/forkhead box O3-dependent manner in breast cancer. The results of bioinformatics analysis revealed that increased USP18 expression was associated with a higher TNM stage and unfavorable prognosis in clinical patients. USP18 was also significantly enhanced in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer; furthermore, Kaplan‑Meier curve demonstrated that combining USP18 and Skp2 expression improved prognostic capability in breast cancer. Taken together, these results suggested that USP18 may serve a key role in breast cancer development by upregulating EGFR and subsequently activating the AKT/Skp2 feedback loop pathway. The role of USP18 in breast cancer provides a novel insight into the clinical application of the USP18/AKT/Skp2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Tan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Guanglin Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xianming Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Weicai Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Haidong Gao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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18
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Mustachio LM, Kawakami M, Lu Y, Rodriguez-Canales J, Mino B, Behrens C, Wistuba I, Bota-Rabassedas N, Yu J, Lee JJ, Roszik J, Zheng L, Liu X, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. The ISG15-specific protease USP18 regulates stability of PTEN. Oncotarget 2018; 8:3-14. [PMID: 27980214 PMCID: PMC5352120 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-like modifier interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is implicated in both oncogenic and tumor suppressive programs. Yet, few ISGylation substrates are known and functionally validated in cancer biology. We previously found specific oncoproteins were substrates of ISGylation and were stabilized by the ISG15-specific deubiquitinase (DUB) ubiquitin specific peptidase 18 (USP18). Using reverse-phase protein arrays (RPPAs), this study reports that engineered loss of the DUB USP18 destabilized the tumor suppressor protein phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in both murine and human lung cancer cell lines. In contrast, engineered gain of USP18 expression in these same lung cancer cell lines stabilized PTEN protein. Using the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX), USP18 knockdown was shown to destabilize PTEN whereas USP18 overexpression stabilized PTEN protein. Interestingly, repression of USP18 decreased cytoplasmic PTEN relative to nuclear PTEN protein levels. We sought to identify mechanisms engaged in this PTEN protein destabilization using immunoprecipitation assays and found ISG15 directly conjugated with PTEN. To confirm translational relevance of this work, USP18 and PTEN immunohistochemical expression were compared in comprehensive lung cancer arrays. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) positive correlation and association between PTEN and USP18 protein expression profiles in human lung cancers. Taken together, this study identified PTEN as a previously unrecognized substrate of the ISGylation post-translational modification pathway. The deconjugase USP18 serves as a novel regulator of PTEN stability. This indicates inhibition of ISGylation is therapeutically relevant in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Jaime Rodriguez-Canales
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Barbara Mino
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carmen Behrens
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ignacio Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Neus Bota-Rabassedas
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Jack Lee
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Roszik
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lin Zheng
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.,Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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19
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Mustachio LM, Lu Y, Kawakami M, Roszik J, Freemantle SJ, Liu X, Dmitrovsky E. Evidence for the ISG15-Specific Deubiquitinase USP18 as an Antineoplastic Target. Cancer Res 2018; 78:587-592. [PMID: 29343520 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitination and ubiquitin-like posttranslational modifications (PTM) regulate activity and stability of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors. This implicates PTMs as antineoplastic targets. One way to alter PTMs is to inhibit activity of deubiquitinases (DUB) that remove ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins from substrate proteins. Roles of DUBs in carcinogenesis have been intensively studied, yet few inhibitors exist. Prior work provides a basis for the ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) as an antineoplastic target. USP18 is the major DUB that removes IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) from conjugated proteins. Prior work discovered that engineered loss of USP18 increases ISGylation and in contrast to its gain decreases cancer growth by destabilizing growth-regulatory proteins. Loss of USP18 reduced cancer cell growth by triggering apoptosis. Genetic loss of USP18 repressed cancer formation in engineered murine lung cancer models. The translational relevance of USP18 was confirmed by finding its expression was deregulated in malignant versus normal tissues. Notably, the recent elucidation of the USP18 crystal structure offers a framework for developing an inhibitor to this DUB. This review summarizes strong evidence for USP18 as a previously unrecognized pharmacologic target in oncology. Cancer Res; 78(3); 587-92. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Illinois
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. .,Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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20
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An S, Zhao LP, Shen LJ, Wang S, Zhang K, Qi Y, Zheng J, Zhang XJ, Zhu XY, Bao R, Yang L, Lu YX, She ZG, Tang YD. USP18 protects against hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance through its deubiquitinating activity. Hepatology 2017; 66:1866-1884. [PMID: 28718215 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, impaired insulin sensitivity, and chronic low-grade inflammation. However, the pathogenic mechanism of NAFLD is poorly understood, which hinders the exploration of possible treatments. Here, we report that ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family, plays regulatory roles in NAFLD progression. Expression of USP18 was down-regulated in the livers of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced or genetically obese mice. When challenged with HFD, hepatocyte-specific USP18 transgenic mice exhibited improved lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, whereas mice knocked out of USP18 expression showed adverse trends regarding hepatic steatosis and glucose metabolic disorders. Furthermore, the concomitant inflammatory response was suppressed in USP18-hepatocyte-specific transgenic mice and promoted in USP18-hepatocyte-specific knockout mice treated with HFD. Mechanistically, hepatocyte USP18 ameliorates hepatic steatosis by interacting with and deubiquitinating transforming growth factorβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), which inhibits TAK1 activation and subsequently suppresses the downstream c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways. This is further validated by alleviated steatotic phenotypes and highly activated insulin signaling in HFD-fed USP18-hepatocyte-specific knockout mice administered a TAK1 inhibitor. The therapeutic effect of USP18 on NAFLD relies on its deubiquitinating activity because HFD-fed mice injected with active-site mutant USP18 failed to inhibit hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSION USP18 associates with and deubiquitinates TAK1 to protect against hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and the inflammatory response. (Hepatology 2017;66:1866-1884).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimin An
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ling-Ping Zhao
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Jun Shen
- The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kuo Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jilin Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Zhang
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue-Yong Zhu
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rong Bao
- The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Yang
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue-Xin Lu
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Gang She
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,The Institute of Model Animals of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Da Tang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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21
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Li L, Lei QS, Kong LN, Zhang SJ, Qin B. Gene expression profile after knockdown of USP18 in Hepg2.2.15 cells. J Med Virol 2017; 89:1920-1930. [PMID: 28369997 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In our previous work, we found that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), also known as UBP43, is associated with the efficiency of interferon alpha (IFN-α) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). To elucidate the influence of USP18 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and the mechanism of this activity, we silenced USP18 by introducing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into Hepg2.2.15 cells. To identify the changed genes and pathways in Hepg2.2.15-shRNA-USP18 cells, we performed a microarray gene expression analysis to compare the Hepg2.2.15 stably expressing USP18-shRNA cells versus control cells using the Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array (HTA) 2.0 microarrays. Microarray analysis indicated that genes involved in regulation of thyroid hormone signaling pathway, complement, and coagulation cascades, PERK-mediated unfolded protein response, and insulin-like growth factor-activated receptor activity were significantly altered after USP18 knockdown for 72 h. Furthermore, genes involved in hepatocyte proliferation, liver fibrosis, such as cell cycle regulatory gene CCND1, were also altered after USP18 knockdown in Hepg2.2.15 cells. In conclusion, USP18 is critical for regulating the replication of HBV in Hepg2.2.15 cells, which suggest that USP18 may be a candidate target for HBV treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing-Song Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ling-Na Kong
- School of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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22
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Cai J, Liu T, Jiang X, Guo C, Liu A, Xiao X. Downregulation of USP18 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing BCL2L1. Exp Cell Res 2017; 358:315-322. [PMID: 28709980 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 18 (USP18) is closely related with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which has been involved in tumourigenesis. However, there has been little research into the role of USP18 on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially in HBV-related HCC. In present study, we found that USP18 expression was aberrantly elevated in HCC tissues than adjacent non-tumour tissues. Importantly, USP18 expression was higher in HBV-related HCC cell lines (HepG2.2.15 and Hep3B) than HBV-unrelated HCC cell lines. Furthermore, knockdown of USP18 significantly suppressed tumour cell proliferation in vitro and tumour growth in vivo, whereas overexpression of USP18 promoted HCC cells growth. Moreover, our experimental data revealed that USP18 silencing obviously blocked cell cycle at G1 phase and increased cell apoptosis. Finally, BCL2L1, a member of BCL2 family protein, was identified as a downstream gene of USP18. Mechanistically, we found that USP18 directly bind to BCL2L1 and positively regulated its expression in HCC cells. Overall, our results suggested that USP18 has a crucial role in regulating diverse aspects of the pathogenesis of HCC, indicating that it might be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cai
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China
| | - Tiande Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China
| | - Xiaoliu Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China
| | - Changkuo Guo
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China
| | - Anwen Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China.
| | - Xinlan Xiao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province 330006, China.
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23
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Mustachio LM, Lu Y, Tafe LJ, Memoli V, Rodriguez-Canales J, Mino B, Villalobos PA, Wistuba I, Katayama H, Hanash SM, Roszik J, Kawakami M, Cho KJ, Hancock JF, Chinyengetere F, Hu S, Liu X, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. Deubiquitinase USP18 Loss Mislocalizes and Destabilizes KRAS in Lung Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2017; 15:905-914. [PMID: 28242811 PMCID: PMC5635999 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-16-0369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
KRAS is frequently mutated in lung cancers and is associated with aggressive biology and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, innovative approaches are needed to treat these lung cancers. Prior work implicated the IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) deubiquitinase (DUB) USP18 as having antineoplastic activity by regulating lung cancer growth and oncoprotein stability. This study demonstrates that USP18 affects the stability of the KRAS oncoprotein. Interestingly, loss of USP18 reduced KRAS expression, and engineered gain of USP18 expression increased KRAS protein levels in lung cancer cells. Using the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, USP18 knockdown significantly reduced the half-life of KRAS, but gain of USP18 expression significantly increased its stability. Intriguingly, loss of USP18 altered KRAS subcellular localization by mislocalizing KRAS from the plasma membrane. To explore the biologic consequences, immunohistochemical (IHC) expression profiles of USP18 were compared in lung cancers of KrasLA2/+ versus cyclin E engineered mouse models. USP18 expression was higher in Kras-driven murine lung cancers, indicating a link between KRAS and USP18 expression in vivo To solidify this association, loss of Usp18 in KrasLA2/+ /Usp18-/- mice was found to significantly reduce lung cancers as compared with parental KrasLA2/+ mice. Finally, translational relevance was confirmed in a human lung cancer panel by showing that USP18 IHC expression was significantly higher in KRAS-mutant versus wild-type lung adenocarcinomas.Implications: Taken together, this study highlights a new way to combat the oncogenic consequences of activated KRAS in lung cancer by inhibiting the DUB USP18. Mol Cancer Res; 15(7); 905-14. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Mustachio
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Yun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Laura J Tafe
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Vincent Memoli
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Jaime Rodriguez-Canales
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Barbara Mino
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Pamela Andrea Villalobos
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ignacio Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hiroyuki Katayama
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Masanori Kawakami
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Kwang-Jin Cho
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
| | - John F Hancock
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
| | - Fadzai Chinyengetere
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Shanhu Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire.
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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24
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Honke N, Shaabani N, Zhang DE, Hardt C, Lang KS. Multiple functions of USP18. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2444. [PMID: 27809302 PMCID: PMC5260889 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the ubiquitin system and the description of its important role in the degradation of proteins, many studies have shown the importance of ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs). One special member of this family is the USP18 protein (formerly UBP43). In the past two decades, several functions of USP18 have been discovered: this protein is not only an isopeptidase but also a potent inhibitor of interferon signaling. Therefore, USP18 functions as 'a' maestro of many biological pathways in various cell types. This review outlines multiple functions of USP18 in the regulation of various immunological processes, including pathogen control, cancer development, and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Honke
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Namir Shaabani
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany.,Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dong-Er Zhang
- Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Cornelia Hardt
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Karl S Lang
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany
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25
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Ying X, Zhao Y, Yao T, Yuan A, Xu L, Gao L, Ding S, Ding H, Pu J, He B. Novel Protective Role for Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 18 in Pathological Cardiac Remodeling. Hypertension 2016; 68:1160-1170. [PMID: 27572150 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.07562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), a USP family member, is involved in antiviral activity and cancer inhibition. Although USP18 is expressed in heart, the role of USP18 in the heart and in cardiac diseases remains unknown. Here, we show that USP18 expression is elevated in both human dilated hearts and hypertrophic murine models. Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of USP18 in mice significantly blunted cardiac remodeling as evidenced by mitigated myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, ventricular dilation, and preserved ejection function, whereas USP18-deficient mice displayed exacerbated cardiac remodeling under the same pathological stimuli. Similar results were observed for in vitro angiotensin II-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The antihypertrophic effects of USP18 under hypertrophic stimuli were associated with the blockage of the transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1-p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 signaling cascade. Blocking transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1-p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 signaling with a pharmacological inhibitor (5Z-7-oxozeaenol) greatly reversed the detrimental effects observed in USP18-knockout mice subjected to aortic banding. Our data indicate that USP18 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and postpones cardiac dysfunction during the remodeling process, which is dependent on its modulation of the transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1-p38/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 signaling axis. Thus, USP18 is a potent therapeutic target for heart failure treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Ying
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Yichao Zhao
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Tianbao Yao
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Ancai Yuan
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Longwei Xu
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Lingchen Gao
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Song Ding
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Hongyi Ding
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Jun Pu
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
| | - Ben He
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
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26
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Positive feedback regulation of p53 transactivity by DNA damage-induced ISG15 modification. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12513. [PMID: 27545325 PMCID: PMC4996943 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
p53 plays a pivotal role in tumour suppression under stresses, such as DNA damage. ISG15 has been implicated in the control of tumorigenesis. Intriguingly, the expression of ISG15, UBE1L and UBCH8 is induced by DNA-damaging agents, such as ultraviolet and doxorubicin, which are known to induce p53. Here, we show that the genes encoding ISG15, UBE1L, UBCH8 and EFP, have the p53-responsive elements and their expression is induced in a p53-dependent fashion under DNA damage conditions. Furthermore, DNA damage induces ISG15 conjugation to p53 and this modification markedly enhances the binding of p53 to the promoters of its target genes (for example, CDKN1 and BAX) as well as of its own gene by promoting phosphorylation and acetylation, leading to suppression of cell growth and tumorigenesis. These findings establish a novel feedback circuit between p53 and ISG15-conjugating system for positive regulation of the tumour suppressive function of p53 under DNA damage conditions. The ‘genome guardian' p53 has a well-established role in suppressing tumour development after DNA damage. Here the authors show that expression of the ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 is regulated by p53 which in turn is modified by ISG15 to enhance binding to target gene promoters.
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27
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Marcotte R, Sayad A, Brown KR, Sanchez-Garcia F, Reimand J, Haider M, Virtanen C, Bradner JE, Bader GD, Mills GB, Pe'er D, Moffat J, Neel BG. Functional Genomic Landscape of Human Breast Cancer Drivers, Vulnerabilities, and Resistance. Cell 2016; 164:293-309. [PMID: 26771497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.11.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 314] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Large-scale genomic studies have identified multiple somatic aberrations in breast cancer, including copy number alterations and point mutations. Still, identifying causal variants and emergent vulnerabilities that arise as a consequence of genetic alterations remain major challenges. We performed whole-genome small hairpin RNA (shRNA) "dropout screens" on 77 breast cancer cell lines. Using a hierarchical linear regression algorithm to score our screen results and integrate them with accompanying detailed genetic and proteomic information, we identify vulnerabilities in breast cancer, including candidate "drivers," and reveal general functional genomic properties of cancer cells. Comparisons of gene essentiality with drug sensitivity data suggest potential resistance mechanisms, effects of existing anti-cancer drugs, and opportunities for combination therapy. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of this large dataset by identifying BRD4 as a potential target in luminal breast cancer and PIK3CA mutations as a resistance determinant for BET-inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Marcotte
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Azin Sayad
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Kevin R Brown
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | | | - Jüri Reimand
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Maliha Haider
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Carl Virtanen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - James E Bradner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Gary D Bader
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan Ben Zayed Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dana Pe'er
- Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jason Moffat
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Benjamin G Neel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Centre, NYU-Langone Medical Center, NY 10016, USA.
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28
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Li L, Lei QS, Zhang SJ, Kong LN, Qin B. Suppression of USP18 Potentiates the Anti-HBV Activity of Interferon Alpha in HepG2.2.15 Cells via JAK/STAT Signaling. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156496. [PMID: 27227879 PMCID: PMC4882066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18, also known as UBP43) has both interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) dependent and ISG15-independent functions. By silencing the expression of USP18 in HepG2.2.15 cells, we studied the effect of USP18 on the anti-HBV activity of IFN-F and demonstrated that knockdown of USP18 significantly Inhibited the HBV expression and increased the expression of ISGs. Levels of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), HBV DNA and intracellular hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) were dramatically decreased with or without treatment of indicated dose of IFN-F. Suppression of USP18 activated the JAK/STAT signaling pathway as shown by the increased and prolonged expression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (p-STAT1) in combination with enhanced expression of several interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). Our results indicated that USP18 modulates the anti-HBV activity of IFN-F via activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in Hepg2.2.15 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
| | - Qing-song Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
| | - Ling-na Kong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
- The Nursing College of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
| | - Bo Qin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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29
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Chinyengetere F, Sekula DJ, Lu Y, Giustini AJ, Sanglikar A, Kawakami M, Ma T, Burkett SS, Eisenberg BL, Wells WA, Hoopes PJ, Demicco EG, Lazar AJ, Torres KE, Memoli V, Freemantle SJ, Dmitrovsky E. Mice null for the deubiquitinase USP18 spontaneously develop leiomyosarcomas. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:886. [PMID: 26555296 PMCID: PMC4640382 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1883-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background USP18 (ubiquitin-specific protease 18) removes ubiquitin-like modifier interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) from conjugated proteins. USP18 null mice in a FVB/N background develop tumors as early as 2 months of age. These tumors are leiomyosarcomas and thus represent a new murine model for this disease. Methods Heterozygous USP18 +/− FVB/N mice were bred to generate wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous cohorts. Tumors were characterized immunohistochemically and two cell lines were derived from independent tumors. Cell lines were karyotyped and their responses to restoration of USP18 activity assessed. Drug testing and tumorigenic assays were also performed. USP18 immunohistochemical staining in a large series of human leiomyosacomas was examined. Results USP18 −/− FVB/N mice spontaneously develop tumors predominantly on the back of the neck with most tumors evident between 6–12 months (80 % penetrance). Immunohistochemical characterization of the tumors confirmed they were leiomyosarcomas, which originate from smooth muscle. Restoration of USP18 activity in sarcoma-derived cell lines did not reduce anchorage dependent or independent growth or xenograft tumor formation demonstrating that these cells no longer require USP18 suppression for tumorigenesis. Karyotyping revealed that both tumor-derived cell lines were aneuploid with extra copies of chromosomes 3 and 15. Chromosome 15 contains the Myc locus and MYC is also amplified in human leiomyosarcomas. MYC protein levels were elevated in both murine leiomyosarcoma cell lines. Stabilized P53 protein was detected in a subset of these murine tumors, another feature of human leiomyosarcomas. Immunohistochemical analyses of USP18 in human leiomyosarcomas revealed a range of staining intensities with the highest USP18 expression in normal vascular smooth muscle. USP18 tissue array analysis of primary leiomyosarcomas from 89 patients with a clinical database revealed cases with reduced USP18 levels had a significantly decreased time to metastasis (P = 0.0441). Conclusions USP18 null mice develop leiomyosarcoma recapitulating key features of clinical leiomyosarcomas and patients with reduced-USP18 tumor levels have an unfavorable outcome. USP18 null mice and the derived cell lines represent clinically-relevant models of leiomyosarcoma and can provide insights into both leiomyosarcoma biology and therapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1883-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadzai Chinyengetere
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - David J Sekula
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Yun Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Andrew J Giustini
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | | | - Masanori Kawakami
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Tian Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Sandra S Burkett
- Comparative Molecular Cytogenetics Core, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Burton L Eisenberg
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Wendy A Wells
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Paul J Hoopes
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | | | - Alexander J Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Sarcoma Research Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Keila E Torres
- Sarcoma Research Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Vincent Memoli
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | - Ethan Dmitrovsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. .,Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. .,Present address: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA.
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Antonelli G, Scagnolari C, Moschella F, Proietti E. Twenty-five years of type I interferon-based treatment: a critical analysis of its therapeutic use. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2015; 26:121-31. [PMID: 25578520 PMCID: PMC7108252 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The clinical exploitation of type I interferon (IFN) as an antiviral and antineoplastic agent is based on the properties originally attributed to this cytokine family, with schedules reflecting only their antiviral and antiproliferative activities. Nevertheless, type I IFN has emerged as a central activator of the innate immunity. As current schedules of treatment for chronic hepatitis C and for hematological and solid tumors, based on the continuous administration of recombinant type I IFN or pegylated formulations, disregard viral resistance, host genetic variants predicting treatment outcome and mechanisms of refractoriness, new administration schedules, the combination of type I IFN with new drugs and the increased monitoring of patients' susceptibility to type I IFN are expected to provide a new life to this valuable cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Antonelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Scagnolari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moschella
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Proietti
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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31
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Hong B, Li H, Lu Y, Zhang M, Zheng Y, Qian J, Yi Q. USP18 is crucial for IFN-γ-mediated inhibition of B16 melanoma tumorigenesis and antitumor immunity. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:132. [PMID: 24884733 PMCID: PMC4057584 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Interferon (IFN)-γ-mediated immune response plays an important role in tumor immunosurveillance. However, the regulation of IFN-γ-mediated tumorigenesis and immune response remains elusive. USP18, an interferon stimulating response element, regulates IFN-α-mediated signaling in anti-viral immune response, but its role in IFN-γ-mediated tumorigenesis and anti-tumor immune response is unknown. Method In this study, USP18 in tumorigenesis and anti-tumor immune response was comprehensively appraised in vivo by overexpression or downregulation its expression in murine B16 melanoma tumor model in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. Results Ectopic expression or downregulation of USP18 in B16 melanoma tumor cells inhibited or promoted tumorigenesis, respectively, in immunocompetent mice. USP18 expression in B16 melanoma tumor cells regulated IFN-γ-mediated immunoediting, including upregulating MHC class-I expression, reducing tumor cell-mediated inhibition of T cell proliferation and activation, and suppressing PD-1 expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice. USP18 expression in B16 melanoma tumor cells also enhanced CTL activity during adoptive immunotherapy by prolonging the persistence and enhancing the activity of adoptively transferred CTLs and by reducing CTL exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that USP18 suppressed tumor cell-mediated immune inhibition by activating T cells, inhibiting T-cell exhaustion, and reducing dendritic cell tolerance, thus sensitizing tumor cells to immunosurveillance and immunotherapy. Conclusion These findings suggest that stimulating USP18 is a feasible approach to induce B16 melanoma specific immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Qing Yi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue/NB40, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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32
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Busch AM, Johnson KC, Stan RV, Sanglikar A, Ahmed Y, Dmitrovsky E, Freemantle SJ. Evidence for tankyrases as antineoplastic targets in lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:211. [PMID: 23621985 PMCID: PMC3644501 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New pharmacologic targets are urgently needed to treat or prevent lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death for men and women. This study identified one such target. This is the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which is deregulated in cancers, including those lacking adenomatous polyposis coli or β-catenin mutations. Two poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzymes regulate canonical Wnt activity: tankyrase (TNKS) 1 and TNKS2. These enzymes poly-ADP-ribosylate (PARsylate) and destabilize axin, a key component of the β-catenin phosphorylation complex. METHODS This study used comprehensive gene profiles to uncover deregulation of the Wnt pathway in murine transgenic and human lung cancers, relative to normal lung. Antineoplastic consequences of genetic and pharmacologic targeting of TNKS in murine and human lung cancer cell lines were explored, and validated in vivo in mice by implantation of murine transgenic lung cancer cells engineered with reduced TNKS expression relative to controls. RESULTS Microarray analyses comparing Wnt pathway members in malignant versus normal tissues of a murine transgenic cyclin E lung cancer model revealed deregulation of Wnt pathway components, including TNKS1 and TNKS2. Real-time PCR assays independently confirmed these results in paired normal-malignant murine and human lung tissues. Individual treatments of a panel of human and murine lung cancer cell lines with the TNKS inhibitors XAV939 and IWR-1 dose-dependently repressed cell growth and increased cellular axin 1 and tankyrase levels. These inhibitors also repressed expression of a Wnt-responsive luciferase construct, implicating the Wnt pathway in conferring these antineoplastic effects. Individual or combined knockdown of TNKS1 and TNKS2 with siRNAs or shRNAs reduced lung cancer cell growth, stabilized axin, and repressed tumor formation in murine xenograft and syngeneic lung cancer models. CONCLUSIONS Findings reported here uncovered deregulation of specific components of the Wnt pathway in both human and murine lung cancer models. Repressing TNKS activity through either genetic or pharmacological approaches antagonized canonical Wnt signaling, reduced murine and human lung cancer cell line growth, and decreased tumor formation in mouse models. Taken together, these findings implicate the use of TNKS inhibitors to target the Wnt pathway to combat lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Busch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Burks J, Reed RE, Desai SD. ISGylation governs the oncogenic function of Ki-Ras in breast cancer. Oncogene 2013; 33:794-803. [PMID: 23318454 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the oncogenic Kirsten-Ras (Ki-Ras) and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) pathways is common in breast and other cancers. However, whether these dysregulated pathways cooperate to promote malignancy is not known. This study links Ki-Ras and ISG15 in a previously unidentified regulatory loop that may underlie malignant transformation of mammary cells. We show that oncogenic Ki-Ras regulates the expression of the ISG15 pathway (free ISG15 and ISG15 conjugates), and ISG15, in turn, stabilizes Ki-Ras protein by inhibiting its targeted degradation via lysosomes in breast cancer cells. Disruption of this loop by silencing either Ki-Ras or the ISG15 pathway restored the disrupted cellular architecture, a hallmark feature of most cancer cells. We also demonstrate that ISG15 and UbcH8 (ISG15-specific conjugating enzyme) shRNAs reversed Ki-Ras mutation-associated phenotypes of cancer cells, such as increased cell proliferation, colony formation, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, cell migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. As UbcH8-silenced breast cancer cells are devoid of ISG15 conjugates but have free ISG15, our results using UbcH8-silenced cells suggest that ISG15 conjugates, and not free ISG15, contributes to oncogenic Ki-Ras transformation. We have thus identified the conjugated form of ISG15 as a critical downstream mediator of oncogenic Ki-Ras, providing a potential mechanistic link between ISG15 and Ki-Ras-mediated breast tumorigenesis. Our findings, which show that inhibition of the ISGylation reverses the malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells expressing oncogenic Ki-Ras, support the development of ISG15 conjugation inhibitors for treating breast and also other cancers expressing oncogenic Ki-Ras.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Burks
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Science Center-School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - R E Reed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Science Center-School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - S D Desai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSU Health Science Center-School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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