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Liu X, Li D, Gao W, Chen P, Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao W, Dong G. Molecular characterization, clinical value, and cancer-immune interactions of genes related to disulfidptosis and ferroptosis in colorectal cancer. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:183. [PMID: 38787520 PMCID: PMC11126553 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This research strived to construct a new signature utilizing disulfidptosis-related ferroptosis (SRF) genes to anticipate response to immunotherapy, prognosis, and drug sensitivity in individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS The data for RNA sequencing as well as corresponding clinical information of individuals with CRC, were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. SRF were constructed with the help of the random forest (RF), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and stepwise regression algorithms. To validate the SRF model, we applied it to an external cohort, GSE38832. Prognosis, immunotherapy response, drug sensitivity, molecular functions of genes, and somatic mutations of genes were compared across the high- and low-risk groups (categories). Following this, all statistical analyses were conducted with the aid of the R (version 4.23) software and various packages of the Cytoscape (version 3.8.0) tool. RESULTS SRF was developed based on five genes (ATG7, USP7, MMD, PLIN4, and THDC2). Both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses established SRF as an independent, prognosis-related risk factor. Individuals from the high-risk category had a more unfavorable prognosis, elevated tumor mutational burden (TMB), and significant immunosuppressive status. Hence, they might have better outcomes post-immunotherapy and might benefit from the administration of pazopanib, lapatinib, and sunitinib. CONCLUSION In conclusion, SRF can act as a new biomarker for prognosis assessment. Moreover, it is also a good predictor of drug sensitivity and immunotherapy response in CRC but should undergo optimization before implementation in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianqiang Liu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Dingchang Li
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Wenxing Gao
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yingjie Zhao
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Guanglong Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Chen J, Jiao Z, Liu Y, Zhang M, Wang D. USP7 interacts with and destabilizes oncoprotein SET. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 709:149818. [PMID: 38555840 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Oncoprotein SE translocation (SET) is frequently overexpressed in different types of tumors and correlated with poor prognosis of cancer patients. Targeting SET has been considered a promising strategy for cancer intervention. However, the mechanisms by which SET is regulated under cellular conditions are largely unknown. Here, by performing a tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry (TAP-MS), we identify that the ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) forms a stable protein complex with SET in cancer cells. Further analyses reveal that the acidic domain of SET directly binds USP7 while both catalytic domain and ubiquitin-like (UBL) domains of USP7 are required for SET binding. Knockdown of USP7 has no effect on the mRNA level of SET. However, we surprisingly find that USP7 depletion leads to a dramatic elevation of SET protein levels, suggesting that USP7 plays a key role in destabilizing oncoprotein SET, possibly through an indirect mechanism. To our knowledge, our data report the first deubiquitinase (DUB) that physically associates with oncoprotein SET and imply an unexpected regulatory effect of USP7 on SET stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Zishan Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yajing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Donglai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases & Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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3
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Dai XJ, Ji SK, Fu MJ, Liu GZ, Liu HM, Wang SP, Shen L, Wang N, Herdewijn P, Zheng YC, Wang SQ, Chen XB. Degraders in epigenetic therapy: PROTACs and beyond. Theranostics 2024; 14:1464-1499. [PMID: 38389844 PMCID: PMC10879860 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the reversible process through which changes in gene expression occur without changing the nucleotide sequence of DNA. The process is currently gaining prominence as a pivotal objective in the treatment of cancers and other ailments. Numerous drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms have obtained approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapeutic intervention of diverse diseases; many have drawbacks, such as limited applicability, toxicity, and resistance. Since the discovery of the first proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in 2001, studies on targeted protein degradation (TPD)-encompassing PROTACs, molecular glue (MG), hydrophobic tagging (HyT), degradation TAG (dTAG), Trim-Away, a specific and non-genetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-dependent protein eraser (SNIPER), antibody-PROTACs (Ab-PROTACs), and other lysosome-based strategies-have achieved remarkable progress. In this review, we comprehensively highlight the small-molecule degraders beyond PROTACs that could achieve the degradation of epigenetic proteins (including bromodomain-containing protein-related targets, histone acetylation/deacetylation-related targets, histone methylation/demethylation related targets, and other epigenetic targets) via proteasomal or lysosomal pathways. The present difficulties and forthcoming prospects in this domain are also deliberated upon, which may be valuable for medicinal chemists when developing more potent, selective, and drug-like epigenetic drugs for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Jie Dai
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shi-Kun Ji
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng-Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gao-Zhi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hui-Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shao-Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- The School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Piet Herdewijn
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Medicinal Chemistry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49-Box 1041, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yi-Chao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, China; State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment; Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation; Institute of Drug Discovery and Development; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- XNA platform, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sai-Qi Wang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Chen
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Engineering Research Center of Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer & Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Precision Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Zhengzhou, China
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Li Z, Zhou G, Li Q, Jiang L, He J, Ye C. USP7 promotes decidualization of ESCs by STAT3/PR axis during early pregnancy. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 580:112090. [PMID: 37890652 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Decidualization is an essential process for embryo implantation during early pregnancy. Defective decidualization is a critical leading cause of early pregnancy loss (EPL). Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) is a deubiquitinating enzyme that is involved in uterine function. This study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism by which USP7 regulates decidualization in EPL. We found that USP7 was downregulated in the decidual tissue of EPL patients. Upregulation of USP7 enhanced decidualization in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), with increased decidualized biomarkers IGFBP1 and PRL and progesterone receptor A/B (PR-A/B) expression. Moreover, we found that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a direct target of USP7 in ESCs. USP7 bound to STAT3 by deubiquitination and increased STAT3 levels in ESCs. Suppression of STAT3 impeded the USP7-promoted cell viability, decidualization, and PR-A/B expression of ESCs. USP7 promoted the decidualization of ESCs through the STAT3/PR signaling pathway during early pregnancy, which provides new insight into the pathological mechanism of EPL and may contribute to the clinical treatment of EPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China.
| | - Guiju Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China
| | - Longfan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China
| | - Chunya Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China
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Al-Balushi E, Al Marzouqi A, Tavoosi S, Baghsheikhi AH, Sadri A, Aliabadi LS, Salarabedi MM, Rahman SA, Al-Yateem N, Jarrahi AM, Halimi A, Ahmadvand M, Abdel-Rahman WM. Comprehensive analysis of the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidases in colorectal cancer: A systematic review. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:197-213. [PMID: 38292842 PMCID: PMC10824112 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i1.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent and the second most fatal cancer. The search for more effective drugs to treat this disease is ongoing. A better understanding of the mechanisms of CRC development and progression may reveal new therapeutic strategies. Ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs), the largest group of the deubiquitinase protein family, have long been implicated in various cancers. There have been numerous studies on the role of USPs in CRC; however, a comprehensive view of this role is lacking. AIM To provide a systematic review of the studies investigating the roles and functions of USPs in CRC. METHODS We systematically queried the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science databases. RESULTS Our study highlights the pivotal role of various USPs in several processes implicated in CRC: Regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, DNA repair, and drug resistance. The findings of this study suggest that USPs have great potential as drug targets and noninvasive biomarkers in CRC. The dysregulation of USPs in CRC contributes to drug resistance through multiple mechanisms. CONCLUSION Targeting specific USPs involved in drug resistance pathways could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for overcoming resistance to current treatment regimens in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Al-Balushi
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amina Al Marzouqi
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shima Tavoosi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Baghsheikhi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 11365/4435, Iran
| | - Arash Sadri
- Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Leyla Sharifi Aliabadi
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Mahdi Salarabedi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
| | - Syed Azizur Rahman
- College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nabeel Al-Yateem
- Department of Nursing, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alireza Mosavi Jarrahi
- Cancer Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
| | - Aram Halimi
- Cancer Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ahmadvand
- Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Wael M Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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Carreira LD, Oliveira RI, Moreira VM, Salvador JAR. Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7): an emerging drug target for cancer treatment. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:1043-1058. [PMID: 37789645 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2266571] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) also known as herpesvirus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP) is a well-characterized cysteine protease that belongs to the largest subfamily of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). It is involved in multiple signaling pathways, some of them dysregulated in malignant tumors. USP7 inhibition can lead to cell growth arrest and apoptosis through inhibition of tumor promoters and stabilization of tumor suppressors, making it a promising druggable target for cancer therapy. AREAS COVERED This review covers the structure of USP7, its function in multiple signaling pathways and relevance in cancer, as well as recent advances and future perspectives in the development of USP7 inhibitors for cancer therapy. EXPERT OPINION Literature reports display the multiple antitumor activities of USP7 inhibitors, both in vitro and in vivo. Nonetheless, none have entered clinical trials so far, highlighting the need to delve into a deeper understanding of USP7 binding sites and the development of more accurate compound screening methods. Despite these challenges, further development of USP7 inhibitors is promising as a valuable new approach for cancer treatment, including the ability to address chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Carreira
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita I Oliveira
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vânia M Moreira
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jorge A R Salvador
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Wang X, Zhang Y, Wu Y, Cheng H, Wang X. The role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in bladder cancer development and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1202633. [PMID: 37215134 PMCID: PMC10196180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1202633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is one of the common malignant urothelial tumors. Post-translational modification (PTMs), including ubiquitination, acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, have been revealed to participate in bladder cancer initiation and progression. Ubiquitination is the common PTM, which is conducted by E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. E3 ubiquitin ligases play a key role in bladder oncogenesis and progression and drug resistance in bladder cancer. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the functions of E3 ubiquitin ligases in bladder cancer development. Moreover, we provide the evidence of E3 ubiquitin ligases in regulation of immunotherapy in bladder cancer. Furthermore, we mention the multiple compounds that target E3 ubiquitin ligases to improve the therapy efficacy of bladder cancer. We hope our review can stimulate researchers and clinicians to investigate whether and how targeting E3 ubiquitin ligases acts a novel strategy for bladder cancer therapy.
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Hashemi SMA, Moradi A, Hosseini SY, Razavi Nikoo H, Bamdad T, Razmkhah M, Sarvari J, Tabarraei A. EBNA1 Upregulates P53-Inhibiting Genes in Burkitt's Lymphoma Cell Line. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 11:672-683. [PMID: 37131894 PMCID: PMC10149133 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.11.4.672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Suppression of p53 is an important mechanism in Epstein-Barr virus associate-tumors and described as EBNA1-USP7 which is a key axis in p53 suppression. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the function of EBNA1 on the expression of p53-inhibiting genes including HDAC-1, MDM2, MDM4, Sirt-3, and PSMD10 and the influence of USP7 inhibition using GNE-6776 on p53 at protein/mRNA level. Methods The electroporation method was used to transfect the BL28 cell line with EBNA1. Cells with stable EBNA1 expression were selected by Hygromycin B treatment. The expression of seven genes, including PSMD10, HDAC-1, USP7, MDM2, P53, Sirt-3, and MDM4, was evaluated using a real-time PCR assay. For evaluating the effects of USP7 inhibition, the cells were treated with GNE-6776; after 24 hours and 4 days, the cells were collected and again expression of interest genes was evaluated. Results MDM2 (P=0.028), MDM4 (P=0.028), USP7 (P=0.028), and HDAC1 (P=0.015) all showed significantly higher expression in EBNA1-harboring cells compared to control plasmid transfected cells, while p53 mRNA expression was only marginally downregulated in EBNA1 harboring cells (P=0.685). Four-day after treatment, none of the studied genes was significantly changed. Also, in the first 24-hour after treatment, mRNA expression of p53 was downregulated (P=0.685), but after 4 days it was upregulated (P=0.7) insignificantly. Conclusion It seems that EBNA1 could strongly upregulate p53-inhibiting genes including HDAC1, MDM2, MDM4, and USP7. Moreover, it appears that the effects of USP7 suppression on p53 at protein/mRNA level depend on the cell nature; however, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdolvahab Moradi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Seyed Younes Hosseini
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Hadi Razavi Nikoo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
| | - Taravat Bamdad
- Department of Virology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahboobeh Razmkhah
- Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Jamal Sarvari
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Corresponding author: Jamal Sarvari; Tel: +98 71 32307953; E-mail:
& AlijanTabarraei; Tel: +98 9112733321;
| | - Alijan Tabarraei
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Corresponding author: Jamal Sarvari; Tel: +98 71 32307953; E-mail:
& AlijanTabarraei; Tel: +98 9112733321;
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USP7 Inhibitors in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Status and Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225539. [PMID: 36428632 PMCID: PMC9688046 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) regulates the stability of a plethora of intracellular proteins involved in the suppression of anti-tumor immune responses and its overexpression is associated with poor survival in many cancers. USP7 impairs the balance of the p53/MDM2 axis resulting in the proteasomal degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor, a process that can be reversed by small-molecule inhibitors of USP7. USP7 was shown to regulate the anti-tumor immune responses in several cases. Its inhibition impedes the function of regulatory T cells, promotes polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, and reduces programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor cells. The efficacy of small-molecule USP7 inhibitors was demonstrated in vivo. The synergistic effect of combining USP7 inhibition with cancer immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach, though its clinical efficacy is yet to be proven. In this review, we focus on the recent developments in understanding the intrinsic role of USP7, its interplay with other molecular pathways, and the therapeutic potential of targeting USP7 functions.
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Murgai A, Sosič I, Gobec M, Lemnitzer P, Proj M, Wittenburg S, Voget R, Gütschow M, Krönke J, Steinebach C. Targeting the deubiquitinase USP7 for degradation with PROTACs. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:8858-8861. [PMID: 35852517 PMCID: PMC9710854 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc02094g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Targeting deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in several human cancers and other diseases. DUB inhibitors are exciting pharmacological tools but often exhibit limited cellular potency. Here we report PROTACs based on a ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) inhibitor scaffold to degrade USP7. By investigating several linker and E3 ligand types, including novel cereblon recruiters, we discovered a highly selective USP7 degrader tool compound that induced apoptosis of USP7-dependent cancer cells. This work represents one of the first DUB degraders and unlocks a new drug target class for protein degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Murgai
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Berlin and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Izidor Sosič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martina Gobec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Patricia Lemnitzer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Matic Proj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sophie Wittenburg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Rabea Voget
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Berlin and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Steinebach
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121, Bonn, Germany.
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