USP22 Interacts with PALB2 and Promotes Chemotherapy Resistance via Homologous Recombination of DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Drug resistance mechanisms and treatment strategies mediated by Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases (USPs) in cancers: new directions and therapeutic options

Drug resistance represents a significant obstacle in cancer treatment, underscoring the need for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), a subclass of deubiquitinating enzymes, play a pivotal role in protein deubiquitination. As scientific research advances, USPs have been recognized as key regulators of drug resistance across a spectrum of treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. This comprehensive review examines the complex relationship between USPs and drug resistance mechanisms, focusing on specific treatment strategies and highlighting the influence of USPs on DNA damage repair, apoptosis, characteristics of cancer stem cells, immune evasion, and other crucial biological functions. Additionally, the review highlights the potential clinical significance of USP inhibitors as a means to counter drug resistance in cancer treatment. By inhibiting particular USP, cancer cells can become more susceptible to a variety of anti-cancer drugs. The integration of USP inhibitors with current anti-cancer therapies offers a promising strategy to circumvent drug resistance. Therefore, this review emphasizes the importance of USPs as viable therapeutic targets and offers insight into fruitful directions for future research and drug development. Targeting USPs presents an effective method to combat drug resistance across various cancer types, leading to enhanced treatment strategies and better patient outcomes.

USP22-JMJD8 axis promotes Lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Lenvatinib is the first-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC, however, drug resistance cannot be avoided during the treatment process, limiting the efficacy of Lenvatinib. We constructed drug-resistant HCC cells by gradually increasing the dose of Lenvatinib. The study found for the first time that USP22 and JMJD8 are upregulated in Lenvatinib resistant HCC cells. In addition, the expression level of stemness related proteins (CD133, C-MYC, BMI1, β-CATENIN) in drug-resistant cells was higher than that in wild-type HCC cells. Knockdown of USP22 in drug-resistant HCC cells could reduce the invasion, migration and stemness of cells. Next, we explored the mechanism of USP22 in Lenvatinib resistance of HCC cells. Under the treatment of Lenvatinib, USP22 knockdown inhibited the cell viability of drug-resistant HCC cells and promoted the apoptosis of drug-resistant cells. Animal experiments in nude mice further demonstrated the important role of USP22 in inducing the resistance of HCC to Lenvatinib in vivo. More importantly, we found that USP22 and JMJD8 constitute a functional axis regulating the drug resistance of Lenvatinib in HCC. In the rescue experiment, the overexpression of JMJD8 could reduce the apoptosis induced by USP22 knockdown. In general, this study shows that USP22-JMJD8 is a drug design target for the mechanism of Lenvatinib resistance in HCC, which may improve the long-term efficacy of Lenvatinib.

Inhibition of USP7 upregulates USP22 and activates its downstream cancer-related signaling pathways in human cancer cells

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) play important roles in various human cancers and targeting DUBs is considered as a novel anticancer therapeutic strategy. Overexpression of ubiquitin specific protease 7 and 22 (USP7 and USP22) are associated with malignancy, therapy resistance, and poor prognosis in many cancers. Although both DUBs are involved in the regulation of similar genes and signaling pathways, such as histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1), c-Myc, FOXP3, and p53, the interdependence of USP22 and USP7 expression has never been described. In the study, we found that targeting USP7 via either siRNA-mediated knockdown or pharmaceutical inhibitors dramatically upregulates USP22 in cancer cells. Mechanistically, the elevated USP22 occurs through a transcriptional pathway, possibly due to desuppression of the transcriptional activity of SP1 via promoting its degradation upon USP7 inhibition. Importantly, increased USP22 expression leads to significant activation of downstream signal pathways including H2Bub1 and c-Myc, which may potentially enhance cancer malignancy and counteract the anticancer efficacy of USP7 inhibition. Importantly, targeting USP7 further suppresses the in vitro proliferation of USP22-knockout (USP22-Ko) A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells and induces a stronger activation of p53 tumor suppressor signaling pathway. In addition, USP22-Ko cancer cells are more sensitive to a combination of cisplatin and USP7 inhibitor. USP7 inhibitor treatment further suppresses in vivo angiogenesis and tumor growth and induced more apoptosis in USP22-Ko cancer xenografts. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that USP7 inhibition can dramatically upregulate USP22 in cancer cells; and targeting USP7 and USP22 may represent a more effective approach for targeted cancer therapy, which warrants further study. Video Abstract.

Pharmacological inhibition of BAP1 recruits HERC2 to competitively dissociate BRCA1-BARD1, suppresses DNA repair and sensitizes CRC to radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is widely used in the management of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical efficacy is limited by the safe irradiated dose. Sensitizing tumor cells to radiotherapy via interrupting DNA repair is a promising approach to conquering the limitation. The BRCA1-BARD1 complex has been demonstrated to play a critical role in homologous recombination (HR) DSB repair, and its functions may be affected by HERC2 or BAP1. Accumulated evidence illustrates that the ubiquitination-deubiquitination balance is involved in these processes; however, the precise mechanism for the cross-talk among these proteins in HR repair following radiation hasn't been defined. Through activity-based profiling, we identified PT33 as an active entity for HR repair suppression. Subsequently, we revealed that BAP1 serves as a novel molecular target of PT33 via a CRISPR-based deubiquitinase screen. Mechanistically, pharmacological covalent inhibition of BAP1 with PT33 recruits HERC2 to compete with BARD1 for BRCA1 interaction, interrupting HR repair. Consequently, PT33 treatment can substantially enhance the sensitivity of CRC cells to radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these findings provide a mechanistic basis for PT33-induced HR suppression and may guide an effective strategy to improve therapeutic gain.

HMGN1 enhances CRISPR-directed dual-function A-to-G and C-to-G base editing

C-to-G base editors have been successfully constructed recently, but limited work has been done on concurrent C-to-G and A-to-G base editing. In addition, there is also limited data on how chromatin-associated factors affect the base editing. Here, we test a series of chromatin-associated factors, and chromosomal protein HMGN1 was found to enhance the efficiency of both C-to-G and A-to-G base editing. By fusing HMGN1, GBE and ABE to Cas9, we develop a CRISPR-based dual-function A-to-G and C-to-G base editor (GGBE) which is capable of converting simultaneous A and C to G conversion with substantial editing efficiency. Accordingly, the HMGN1 role shown in this work and the resulting GGBE tool further broaden the genome manipulation capacity of CRISPR-directed base editors.

Characterizing and exploiting the many roles of aberrant H2B monoubiquitination in cancer pathogenesis

Monoubiquitination of histone H2B on lysine 120 (H2Bub1) is implicated in the control of multiple essential processes, including transcription, DNA damage repair and mitotic chromosome segregation. Accordingly, aberrant regulation of H2Bub1 can induce transcriptional reprogramming and genome instability that may promote oncogenesis. Remarkably, alterations of the ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes regulating H2Bub1 are emerging as ubiquitous features in cancer, further supporting the possibility that the misregulation of H2Bub1 is an underlying mechanism contributing to cancer pathogenesis. To date, aberrant H2Bub1 dynamics have been reported in multiple cancer types and are associated with transcriptional changes that promote oncogenesis in a cancer type-specific manner. Owing to the multi-functional nature of H2Bub1, misregulation of its writers and erasers may drive disease initiation and progression through additional synergistic processes. Accordingly, understanding the molecular determinants and pathogenic impacts associated with aberrant H2Bub1 regulation may reveal novel drug targets and therapeutic vulnerabilities that can be exploited to develop innovative precision medicine strategies that better combat cancer. In this review, we present the normal functions of H2Bub1 in the control of DNA-associated processes and describe the pathogenic implications associated with its misregulation in cancer. We further discuss the challenges coupled with the development of therapeutic strategies targeting H2Bub1 misregulation and expose the potential benefits of designing treatments that synergistically exploit the multiple functionalities of H2Bub1 to improve treatment selectivity and efficacy.

Transcription factor AP2 enhances malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer through upregulation of USP22 gene expression

BACKGROUND

Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22), a putative cancer stem cell marker, is frequently upregulated in cancers, and USP22 overexpression is associated with aggressive growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance in various human cancers including lung cancer. However, USP22 gene amplification seldom occurs, and the mechanism underlying USP22 upregulation in human cancers remains largely unknown.

METHODS

A luciferase reporter driven by a promoter region of USP22 gene was selectively constructed to screen against a customized siRNA library targeting 89 selected transcription factors to identify potential transcription factors (TFs) that regulate USP22 expression in human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Association of identified TFs with USP22 and potential role of the TFs were validated and explored in NSCLC by biological assays and immunohistochemistry analysis.

RESULTS

Luciferase reporter assays revealed that SP1 and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) inhibit USP22 transcription, while transcription factor AP-2 Alpha/Beta (TFAP2A/2B) and c-Myc promote USP22 transcription. Binding site-directed mutagenesis and chromosome immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays validated AP2α and AP2β are novel TFs of USP22. Furthermore, overexpression of AP2A and AP2B significantly upregulates USP22 expression, and its target: Cyclin D1, concurrently enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 and H1299 cells in a partially USP22-dependent manner. Moreover, AP2 protein level correlated with USP22 protein in human NSCLC tissues.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate AP2α and AP2β are important transcription factors driving USP22 gene expression to promote the progression of NSCLC, and further support USP22 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer. Video Abstract.

Immune Evasion and Drug Resistance Mediated by USP22 in Cancer: Novel Targets and Mechanisms

Regulation of ubiquitination is involved in various processes in cancer occurrence and development, including cell cycle arrest, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and immunity. Ubiquitination plays an important role not only at the transcriptional and post-translational levels but also at the protein level. When ubiquitination is in a pathological state, abnormally activated biological processes will not only induce cancer progression but also induce immune evasion. The main function of deubiquitinases (DUBs) is to remove ubiquitin chains from substrates, changing the biological activity of the substrates. It has great potential to improve the prognosis of cancer by targeting DUB to regulate proteome. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) belongs to the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family of DUBs and has been reported to be related to various physiological and pathological processes. USP22 is abnormally expressed in various malignant tumors such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer, which suggests that USP22 may play an important role in tumors. USP22 may stabilize programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by deubiquitination while also regulating T-cell infiltration into tumors. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a unique class of immunosuppressive CD4⁺ T cells that primarily suppress the immune system by expressing the master transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3). USP22 was found to be a positive regulator of stable FOXP3 expression. Treg-specific ablation of USP22 leads to reduced tumor volume in multiple cancer models. This suggests that USP22 may regulate tumor resistance to immunotherapy. In this article, we review and summarize the biological functions of USP22 in multiple signal transduction pathways during tumorigenesis, immune evasion, and drug resistance. Furthermore, we propose a new possibility of combining USP22 with chemotherapeutic, targeted, and immunosuppressive drugs in the treatment of cancer.

M6A RNA Methylation Regulates Histone Ubiquitination to Support Cancer Growth and Progression

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignancy of the bone, yet the survival for osteosarcoma patients is virtually unchanged over the past 30 years. This is principally because development of new therapies is hampered by a lack of recurrent mutations that can be targeted in osteosarcoma. Here, we report that epigenetic changes via mRNA methylation holds great promise to better understand the mechanisms of osteosarcoma growth and to develop targeted therapeutics. In osteosarcoma patients, the RNA demethylase ALKBH5 was amplified and higher expression correlated with copy number changes. ALKBH5 was critical for promoting osteosarcoma growth and metastasis, yet it was dispensable for normal cell survival. Me-RIP-seq analysis and functional studies showed that ALKBH5 mediates its pro-tumorigenic function by regulating m6A levels of histone deubiquitinase USP22 and the ubiquitin ligase RNF40. ALKBH5-mediated m6A deficiency in osteosarcoma led to increased expression of USP22 and RNF40 that resulted in inhibition of histone H2A monoubiquitination and induction of key pro-tumorigenic genes, consequently driving unchecked cell cycle progression, incessant replication and DNA repair. RNF40, which is historically known to ubiquitinate H2B, inhibited H2A ubiquitination in cancer by interacting with and affecting the stability of DDB1-CUL4-based ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. Taken together, this study directly links increased activity of ALKBH5 with dysregulation of USP22/RNF40 and histone ubiquitination in cancers. More broadly, these results suggest that m6A RNA methylation works in concert with other epigenetic mechanisms to control cancer growth.

Predictive value of DNA repair gene expression for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Genome-wide analysis using microarrays has revolutionized breast cancer (BC) research. A substantial body of evidence supports the clinical utility of the 21-gene assay (Oncotype DX) and 70-gene assay (MammaPrint) to predict BC recurrence and the magnitude of benefit from chemotherapy. However, there is currently no genetic tool able to predict chemosensitivity and chemoresistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) during BC treatment. In this study, we explored the predictive value of DNA repair gene expression in the neoadjuvant setting. We selected 98 patients with BC treated with NACT. We assessed DNA repair expression in 98 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded core biopsy fragments used at diagnosis and in 32 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded post-NACT residual tumors using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The following genes were selected: BRCA1, PALB2, RAD51C, BRCA2, ATM, FANCA, MSH2, XPA, ERCC1, PARP1, and SNM1. Of 98 patients, 33 (33.7%) achieved pathologic complete response (pCR). The DNA expression of 2 genes assessed in pre-NACT biopsies (PALB2 and ERCC1) was lower in pCR than in non-pCR patients (P=0.005 and P=0.009, respectively). There was no correlation between molecular subtype and expression of DNA repair genes. The genes BRCA2 (P=0.009), ATM (P=0.004), FANCA (P=0.001), and PARP1 (P=0.011) showed a lower expression in post-NACT residual tumor samples (n=32) than in pre-NACT biopsy samples (n=98). The expression of 2 genes (PALB2 and ERCC1) was lower in pCR patients. These alterations in DNA repair could be considered suitable targets for cancer therapy.

EMP3 negatively modulates breast cancer cell DNA replication, DNA damage repair, and stem-like properties

Enhanced DNA damage repair capacity attenuates cell killing of DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents. In silico analysis showed that epithelial membrane protein 3 (EMP3) is associated with favorable survival, and negatively regulates cell cycle S-phase. Consistently, loss and gain of function studies demonstrated that EMP3 inhibits breast cancer cell S-phage entry, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, and stem-like properties. Moreover, EMP3 blocks Akt-mTOR signaling activation and induces autophagy. EMP3 negatively modulates BRCA1 and RAD51 expression, indicating EMP3 suppresses homologous recombination repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Accordingly, EMP3 sensitizes breast cancer cells to the DNA-damaging drug Adriamycin. EMP3 downregulates YTHDC1, a RNA-binding protein involved in m6a modification, which at least in part mediates the effects of EMP3 on breast cancer cells. Taken together, these data indicate that EMP3 is a putative tumor suppressor in breast cancer, and EMP3 downregulation may be responsible for breast cancer chemoresistance.

Introduction of a point mutation in the KRAS gene of in vitro fertilized porcine zygotes via electroporation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of KRAS gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 delivery by electroporation and analyzed the effects of the non-homologous end-joining pathway inhibitor Scr7 and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) homology arm length on introducing a point mutation in KRAS. Various concentrations (0-2 µM) of Scr7 were evaluated; all concentrations of Scr7 including 0 µM resulted in the generation of blastocysts with a point mutation and the wild-type sequence or indels. No significant differences in the blastocyst formation rates of electroporated zygotes were observed among ssODN homology arm lengths, irrespective of the gRNA (gRNA1 and gRNA2). The proportion of blastocysts carrying a point mutation with or without the wild-type sequence and indels was significantly higher in the ssODN20 group (i.e., the group with a ssODN homology arm of 20 bp) than in the ssODN60 group (gRNA1: 25.7% vs. 5.4% and gRNA2: 45.5% vs. 5.9%, p < .05). In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery with ssODN via electroporation is feasible for the generation of point mutations in porcine embryos. Further studies are required to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the homology-directed repair.

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 in cancer

Recently, many studies have shown that deubiquitination modification of proteins is of great significance in major physiological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. The ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP) family is one of the most numerous and structurally diverse of the deubiquitinates known to date. USP22, an important member of the USP family, has been found to be closely associated with tumor cell cycle regulation, stemness maintenance, invasion and metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune regulation. We focus on recent advances regarding USP22's function in cancer and discuss the prospect of USP22 in this review.