A novel TNKS/USP25 inhibitor blocks the Wnt pathway to overcome multi-drug resistance in TNKS-overexpressing colorectal cancer

Modulating Tankyrases (TNKS), interactions with USP25 to promote TNKS degradation, rather than inhibiting their enzymatic activities, is emerging as an alternative/specific approach to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we identified UAT-B, a novel neoantimycin analog isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus, as a small-molecule inhibitor of TNKS-USP25 protein-protein interaction (PPI) to overcome multi-drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The disruption of TNKS-USP25 complex formation by UAT-B led to a significant decrease in TNKS levels, triggering cell apoptosis through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Importantly, UAT-B successfully inhibited the CRC cells growth that harbored high TNKS levels, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo studies utilizing cell line-based and patient-derived xenografts, as well as APCmin/+ spontaneous CRC models. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the TNKS-USP25 PPI using a small-molecule inhibitor represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment, and UAT-B emerges as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigations.

The deubiquitinating enzyme 13 retards non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via blocking inactive rhomboid protein 2-dependent pathway

Nowadays potential preclinical drugs for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have failed to achieve expected therapeutic efficacy because the pathogenic mechanisms are underestimated. Inactive rhomboid protein 2 (IRHOM2), a promising target for treatment of inflammation-related diseases, contributes to deregulated hepatocyte metabolism-associated nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Irhom2 regulation is still not completely understood. In this work, we identify the ubiquitin-specific protease 13 (USP13) as a critical and novel endogenous blocker of IRHOM2, and we also indicate that USP13 is an IRHOM2-interacting protein that catalyzes deubiquitination of Irhom2 in hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific loss of the Usp13 disrupts liver metabolic homeostasis, followed by glycometabolic disorder, lipid deposition, increased inflammation, and markedly promotes NASH development. Conversely, transgenic mice with Usp13 overexpression, lentivirus (LV)- or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-driven Usp13 gene therapeutics mitigates NASH in 3 models of rodent. Mechanistically, in response to metabolic stresses, USP13 directly interacts with IRHOM2 and removes its K63-linked ubiquitination induced by ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2N (UBC13), a ubiquitin E2 conjugating enzyme, and thus prevents its activation of downstream cascade pathway. USP13 is a potential treatment target for NASH therapy by targeting the Irhom2 signaling pathway.

The Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP14 Promotes the Proliferation and Migration Ability of Pancreatic Cancer Cells / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancer types with few effective treatment options. While the overexpression of ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) has been observed in many tumor cells, including pancreatic cancer cells, its precise role in pancreatic cancer is not well defined. Here, we investigated the biological function of USP14 in pancreatic cancer and its molecular mechanisms. Our analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas database revealed that USP14 was highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues,and further investigation revealed that its expression level was negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients. In SW1990 and MIAPaCa2 pancreatic cancer cells,we established stable USP14-knockdown cell lines using the shRNA-USP14 lentivirus and found that USP14 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of pancreatic cancer cells by CCK8, colony formation assay, wound-healing and Transwell assays. Western blotting analysis showed that downregulation of USP14 expression resulted in a decrease in CyclinD3 protein levels, while overexpression of USP14 increased the protein levels in SW1990 and MIAPaCa2 pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that USP14 interacts with CyclinD3 and ubiquitination assays show that overexpression of USP14 reduces the ubiquitination level of CyclinD3. Moreover, CRISPR / Cas9-mediated USP14 knockout in SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells resulted in decreased CyclinD3 protein levels. These findings suggest that USP14 promotes the proliferation and migration ability of pancreatic cancer cells by interacting with CyclinD3, highlighting USP14 as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Ubiquitin-specific proteases 41 promotes the malignant phenotype and aoxorubicin-resistance by stabilizing RACK1 in triple negative breast cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the expression of USP41 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its correlation with malignant phenotype and adriamycin sensitivity.Methods:The expression of USP41 in TNBC resistant cell lines and clinical tissue samples was detected by Western blot and qPCR. Subsequently, the high expression of USP41 molecule was determined, and the role and possible mechanism of USP41 in the malignant phenotype and adriamycin resistance of TNBC were evaluated by cell biological methods such as CCK8, colony formation assay, transwell, Western blot, and CoIP-MS.Results:USP41 expression was significantly higher in triple-negative breast cancer samples than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. USP41 expression was nearly 40-fold higher in the doxorubicin-resistant cell line MDA-MB-231/DXR, with an IC50 value of 6.86 μM. Interference with USP41 significantly increased the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231/DXR cells to doxorubicin. Interference with USP41 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and migration of cells, with a decrease in the number of clones of 30%-80% and a decrease in the number of migrating cells of more than 70%, and the difference was statistically significant. In addition, USP41 knockdown improved the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to doxorubicin, with an IC50 decrease from 5.49 μM to 2.36 μM and 2.56 μM. CO-IP results showed that USP41 could directly interact with RACK1, and the expression of RACK1 was significantly higher in cancer tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Interference with RACK1 inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, with IC50 decreasing from 9.87 μM to 4.67 μM and 4.36 μM. Colony formation capacity decreased by more than 30% and the difference was statistically significant. USP41 knockdown decreased cell migration by more than 70% compared to control.Conclusion:High expression of USP41 is associated with malignant surface and adriamycin resistance in TNBC, and RACK1 may be a key molecule in the role of USP41.

Genotype-phenotype landscape of pituitary adrenocorticotroph hormone adenoma / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:Cushing′s disease(CD) is caused by the pituitary adrenocorticotroph hormone(ACTH) secreting adenomas, leading to increased serum cortisol levels and various abnormal metabolic processes. Untreated CD is linked to high mortality, thus it is critical to elucidate its pathogenesis. This study aims to explore the pathogenesis of pituitary ACTH adenomas using whole-genome sequencing analysis.Methods:Fresh tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected in 9 confirmed cases of pituitary ACTH adenomas who underwent surgery. Whole genome sequencing was then performed, followed by analysis and verification of single nucleotide mutations, copy number variation(CNV) and chromosome structure variations.Results:Somatic USP8 mutations(p.Ser718del, p. Ser718Pro, p. Pro720Arg, p. Pro720Gln) were found in 5 patients, with a rate of 55.6%; CNV of USP8 was detected in 1 patient; TP53(p.Cys135Tyr), NF1(p.Val1049Glufs*11) and KMT2C(c.3323+ 1G>A) mutations were identified in 1 patient harboring wild-type USP8. CNV analysis showed a loss of heterozygosity in multiple chromosomes in a wild-type USP8 patient. Structural variations were found in 2 with unknown significance. No germline gene mutations were detected in this study.Conclusion:Somatic USP8 mutations, increased copy number of USP8, variations of tumor-related genes such as TP53 and extensive somatic CNV all contribute to pathogenesis of CD. Chromosomal structure variations may suggest high-risk pituitary ACTH adenomas, and call for frequent follow-up and aggressive treatment.

The Roles of USP14 and Its Inhibitors in the Occurrence and Development of Tumors / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14), a member of the ubiquitin-specific proteases family, plays an important role in the development and progression of malignant tumors through removing ubiquitin chain from substrates such as androgen receptor (AR), cell cycle-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins to regulate protein stability and activity. The mechanisms of USP14 in a variety of malignant tumors are complex and diverse, including promotion in cell proliferation and inflammation as well as inhibition in apoptosis, autophagy, and drug resistance. Simultaneously, aberrant expression of USP14 is closely correlated with poor prognosis in most malignant tumors. Therefore, USP14 is a potential drug target for tumor therapy, and the development of its inhibitors appears as a new direction of anti-tumor drug research. Currently, specific inhibitors of USP14 mainly include IU1, its analogs (IU1-47, IU1-206, IU1-248), and b-AP15. The inhibitory ability of IU1 analogs on USP14 activity is 10 times than that of IU1, due to the difference in crystal structure. On the other hand, the inhibitors of USP14 show powerful anti-tumor effects inducing tumor cell death through a variety of signal pathways, which enables the inhibitor as potential targeted drugs. It will be extremely important to further explore the relationship between USP14 and its inhibitors in the tumor development and progression. This review summarizes the latest research of USP14 and its inhibitors, including their structures and functions in malignant tumors. Furthermore, the problems, challenges, new directions and strategies for future research, were also reviewed in current study.

Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP29 Regulates the Protein Stability of CBX6 / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are transcriptional repressors that control cell fate and the development of embryo, and they elicit function mainly in the form of polycomb repressive complex (PRC). Chromobox protein homolog 6 (CBX6) is one of the core protein subunits of PRC1, which plays an important role in gene expression regulation, cell renewal and differentiation, tumorigenesis and development, and stem cell maintenance. In this study, CBX6 was found to be degraded through a ubiquitin-proteasome dependent pathway. Then the gene expression library containing 92 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUB) was used to screen DUB targeting CBX6 and results found that ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) could obviously stabilize CBX6 protein level and extend its half-life (P < 0.05). Immunoprecipitation experiments found that CBX6 interacted with USP29 through its C-terminal domains; Further studies found that USP29 regulated the protein stability of CBX6 by deubiquitination in an enzymatic-activity dependent manner. Cell proliferation assay also found that USP29 inhibited the proliferation of MCF7 cells (P<0.0001). Taken together, through screening, this study found that USP29 could stabilize CBX6 protein level through deubiquitinating CBX6 and inhibit the cell proliferation of MCF7.

Two cases of female-restricted X-linked syndromic mental retardation-99 caused by USP9X gene variations / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical and genotype features of female-restricted X-linked syndromic mental retardation-99(MRXS99F, OMIM: 300968)caused by USP9 X gene mutation, and to improve the clinicians′ understanding of the disease. Methods:Clinical data and genotypes of 2 children with MRXS99F treated in the Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in March 2020 (case 1) and June 2020 (case 2) were analyzed, and the relevant databases at home and abroad were reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics and gene variation characteristics of the disease.Results:The 2 cases were 6 months old (case 1) and 5 years old (case 2), both showed psychomotor retardation.Case 1 presented a short stature, pigment abnormality, characteristic facial features, hypotonia, recurrent respiratory tract infections, laryngeal cartilage hypoplasia, atrial septal defect, feeding difficulty, hearing loss and brain hypoplasia.Case 2 had abnormal electroencephalogram.As confirmed by whole-exome sequencing, two children carried c. 6972+ 1G>A, c.6437C>T of USP9 X, respectively.Neither of the 2 variations was previously reported.Twenty-two cases of MRXS99F caused by USP9 X gene mutation were reported in 4 literatures globally, and 24 cases were combined with this study.The clinical manifestations of 20/22 children had special faces.All of them accompanied mental retardation combined with motor and language retardation, and carried neonatal variation. Conclusions:This is the first case report of MRXS99F induced by USP9 X gene variation in China.MRXS99F caused by functional deletion and variation of USP9 X gene is mainly characterized by psychomotor retardation, language disorder, special face and multiple congenital malformations.For children with unexplained growth retardation, special face and multiple congenital malformations, genetic testing like high-throughput sequencing should be carried out as early as possible to determine the etiology.

Mechanism of USP39 inhibiting radiation sensitivity of tumor cells / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the biological effects of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 39 (USP39) on the DNA damage response pathway of tumor cells. Methods: Tumor cells (293T, HeLa, U2OS, T47D) were cultured in DMEM medium or RPMI-1640 containing 100 mL/L FBS in a humidified atmosphere containing 50 mL/L CO2 at 37 ℃. The effect of knockdown of USP39 on the radiosensitivity of tumor cells was detected by MTS[3-(4,5-diethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-etrazolium, inner salt]. The efficiency of HR repair and NHEJ repair was detected by cytometry. The expression of DNA damage-responsive proteins by knockdown of USP39 was examined by Western blot. The proteins interacting with USP39 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation, protein purification and mass spectrometry, and then gene ontology analysis was performed. DNA damage was induced by micro-irradiation and its recruitment to DNA damage sites was detected by agonistic confocal microscopy. Results: Knockdown of USP39 resulted in increased radiosensitivity of tumor cells (P<0.05). Knockdown of USP39 inhibited homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining repair efficiency of tumor cells (P<0.05). Knockdown of USP39 promoted the expression of DNA damage response protein. USP39 aggregated to DNA damage sites; USP39 interacting proteins were involved in multiple signaling pathways associated with DNA damage response. Conclusion: USP39 plays an important role in the DNA damage response.

Effect of different expression levels of USP28 on apoptosis and related protein expression in esophageal cancer cell ECA109 after irradiation / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To observe the effect of different expression levels of USP28 on the radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells by gene transfection method, aiming to provide theoretical basis for comprehensive treatment of esophageal cancer.@*Methods@#The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in the esophageal epithelial cells Het-1A, ECA109 and ECA109R were quantitatively measured by qRT-PCR. The specific siRNA sequences were designed according to the USP28 and c-Myc genes. The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc plasmids were constructed. The esophageal cancer cell ECA109 was transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 to observe the transfection effect and related protein expression. ECA109 and ECA109R cells were exposed to 6 Gy X-ray radiation. The cell apoptosis in each group was detected by flow cytometry. The radiosensitivity was evaluated by clone formation assay.@*Results@#The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109 were significantly higher than those in Het-1A (both P<0.05), and the expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109R were remarkably higher than those in ECA109(both P<0.05). The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. Compared with the negative control group, the expression of USP28 at the protein and mRNA levels in the si-USP28 group was significantly down-regulated, whereas those in the pcDNA-USP28 group were remarkably up-regulated. Similar results were obtained in terms of c-Myc. Compared with the control group, the expression level of c-Myc protein was significantly up-regulated in the pcDNA-USP28 group, whereas considerably down-regulated in the si-USP28 group. After 6 Gy irradiation, the apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells were significantly declined. The apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109R cells were increased in the si-USP28 group.@*Conclusions@#The expression of USP28 protein is closely correlated with the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells. The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of c-Myc expression by USP28.

Effect of different expression levels of USP28 on apoptosis and related protein expression in esophageal cancer cell ECA109 after irradiation / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of different expression levels of USP28 on the radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells by gene transfection method,aiming to provide theoretical basis for comprehensive treatment of esophageal cancer.Methods The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in the esophageal epithelial cells Het-1A,ECA109 and ECA109R were quantitatively measured by qRT-PCR.The specific siRNA sequences were designed according to the USP28 and c-Myc genes.The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc plasmids were constructed.The esophageal cancer cell ECA109 was transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 to observe the transfection effect and related protein expression.ECA109 and ECA109R cells were exposed to 6 Gy X-ray radiation.The cell apoptosis in each group was detected by flow cytometry.The radiosensitivity was evaluated by clone formation assay.Results The expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109 were significantly higher than those in Het-1A (both P＜0.05),and the expression levels of USP28 and c-Myc in ECA109R were remarkably higher than those in ECA109(both P＜0.05).The pcDNA-USP28 and pcDNA-c-Myc recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed.Compared with the negative control group,the expression of USP28 at the protein and mRNA levels in the si-USP28 group was significantly down-regulated,whereas those in the pcDNA-USP28 group were remarkably up-regulated.Similar results were obtained in terms of c-Myc.Compared with the control group,the expression level of c-Myc protein was significantly up-regulated in the pcDNA-USP28 group,whereas considerably down-regulated in the si-USP28 group.After 6 Gy irradiation,the apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109 cells were significantly declined.The apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity of ECA109R cells were increased in the si-USP28 group.Conclusions The expression of USP28 protein is closely correlated with the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells.The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of c-Myc expression by USP28.

Advancing USP compendial methods for fixed dose combinations: A case study of metoprolol tartrate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets / 药物分析学报

The current United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP–NF) includes more than 250 mono-graphs of fixed dose combinations (FDCs), and some of them need to be updated due to incompleteness of impurity profiles and obsolescence of analytical methodologies. A case study of metoprolol tartrate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets is presented to summarize challenges encountered during the USP monograph modernization initiative of FDCs and to highlight an "adoption and adaptation" approach employed for method development. To this end, a single stability-indicating HPLC method was devel-oped to separate the two drug substances and eight related compounds with resolution 2.0 or higher between all critical pairs. Chromatographic separations were achieved on a Symmetry column (C18, 100 mm × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) using sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3.0; 34 mM) and acetonitrile as mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. The stability-indicating capability of this method has been demon-strated by analyzing stressed samples of the two drug substances. The developed HPLC method was validated for simultaneous determination of metoprolol tartrate and hydrochlorothiazide and relevant impurities in the tablets. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of commercial tablet dosage forms and proved to be suitable for routine quality control use. The case study could be used to streamline USP's monograph modernization process of FDCs and strengthen compendial procedures.

Possible Association of the Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 46 Gene (USP46) with Affective Temperamental Traits in Healthy Korean Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 46 gene (USP46) polymorphisms is part of ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is responsible for dynamic cellular processes such as the regulation of cell cycle. USP46 has been reported to be associated with major depressive disorder. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association of USP46 polymorphisms with affective temperamental traits in healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 557 Korean healthy volunteers were recruited, and 545 subjects (328 male, 217 female) were included in the final analysis. The DNA of the subjects was isolated from saliva samples. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs346005, rs2244291 in USP46 were genotyped. Affective temperaments were assessed using the Korean version of Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). RESULTS: A significant association was found between rs346005 genotypes and TEMPS-A only in male subjects. In particular, subjects with the CC genotype of rs346005 showed a more depressive temperament than subjects with AA or CA genotypes in males. For rs2244291, there were no associations between the rs2244291 genotypes and TEMPS-A scores. CONCLUSION: Some affective temperaments may serve as a genetic predisposing factors for affective disorders, such as depressive disorder, via vulnerability genes related to the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Effect of miR-939-5p on the migration and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the expression of USP22 gene / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To investigate the regulation of miR-939-5p on USP22 gene expression and its effect on liver cancer migration and proliferation.Methods The expression of miR-939-5p in hepatoma cell lines (HepG2,MHCC-97H,SMMC-7721,BEL-7404 and Huh7) and normal liver cell line LO2 was detected by realtime PCR (qPCR).The liver cancer cells with the lowest expression were used as experimental subjects,and transfected with miR-939-5p (Experimental group) or miR-NC (Control group).qPCR was used to detect the transfection efficiency of miR-939-5p.Transwell migration assay and MTT proliferation assay were used to detect the migration and proliferation of hepatoma cells after transfected miR-939-5p.Bioinformatics software predicted target genes for miR-939-5p.The dual luciferase reporter gene verified the interaction of miR-939-5p with the target gene.qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of target genes at mRNA and protein levels after over-expression of miR-939-5p.Measurement data were expressed as (Mean ± SD),and t test was used for comparison between groups.Results The expression of miR-939-5p was significantly lower in hepatoma cell lines than in normal hepatocytes (P ＜0.01),and the expression of miR-939-5p was the lowest in SMMC-7721 cells (P＜0.01).miR-939-5p was efficiently transfected into SMMC-7721 cells [(1.01 ±0.07) vs (20.12 ± 1.27),P ＜0.01].High expression of miR-939-5p inhibited the migration ability (P ＜ 0.01) and proliferative capacity of liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells (P ＜0.05).The USP22 gene may be a target gene of miR-939-5p.The luciferase reporter gene confirmed that miR-939-5p specifically binds to the 3'-UTR of USP22 mRNA (P ＜ 0.01).USP22 expression was decreased at mRNA and protein levels after high expression of miR-939-5p (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The expression of miR-939-5p was down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines,and miR-939-5p inhibited the migration and proliferation of liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells.The molecular mechanism was to interfere with the expression of USP22 gene.

The deubiquitinase USP38 affects cellular functions through interacting with LSD1

BACKGROUND: Deubiquitination is a posttranslational protein modification prevalent in mammalian cells. Deubiquitinases regulate the functions of the target protein by removing its ubiquitin chain. In this study, the effects of the deubiquitinase USP38's functions on the LSD1 protein and on cell physiology were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation, denaturing immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were used to analyze the protein stability, protein interactions and changes in the ubiquitin chain. Cell proliferation assays, colony formation assays, drug treatments and western blotting were used to explore the functions of USP38 in cells. RESULTS: The deubiquitinase USP38 stabilizes protein LSD1 in cells by binding LSD1 and cleaving its ubiquitin chain to prevent the degradation of LSD1 by the intracellular proteasome. USP38 enhances the ability of LSD1 to activate signaling pathways and hence promotes cellular abilities of proliferation and colony formation through interacting with LSD1. Furthermore, USP38 enhances the drug tolerance of human colon cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: USP38 is an LSD1-specific deubiquitinase that affects cellular physiology through interacting with LSD1.

USP33 suppresses lung adenocarcinoma lung cell invasion and metastasis by down-regulating SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of USP33 as an independent prognostic marker in the regulation of SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling pathway to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma invasion and metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of USP33 in 20 lung adenocarcinoma specimens was detected by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. A549 and SPC-A-1 cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated USP33 silencing were examined for changes in invasion and metastasis abilities using scratch assay and Matrigel assay. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of SLIT2 and ROBO1 in the cells after USP33 silencing and the expression of USP33 after interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>qPCR and immunohistochemistry showed that USP33 was significantly decreased in lung adenocarcinoma tissues as compared with the adjacent tissues. USP33 silencing in A549 and SPC-A-1 cells significantly promoted the cell migration, invasion and metastasis and obviously down-regulated the expressions of SLIT2 and ROBO1. IL-6 stimulation of the cells obviously enhanced the expression of USP33.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>USP33 silencing can promote the migration, invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells , and the mechanism may involve IL-6 and SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling pathways.</p>

Effects of USP22 on cell proliferation and chemosensitivity to cisplatin in cervical cancer cells / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of USP22 in cervical cancer cells,and the effects of USP22 on cell proliferation and chemosensitivity to cisplatin in cervical cancer cells. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was conducted to detect the expression of USP22 mRNA in cervical cancer cells.Cell count kit-8,flow cytometry,and tumorigenesis were performed to detect the effects of USP22 on the proliferation,apoptosis,cycle cycle,and chemosensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Results USP22 was upregulated in cervical cancer cells compared to human immortalized epidermal cells. Cell proliferation was inhibited,cell apoptosis was promoted,cell cycle was arrested in G1 stage and chemosensi-tivity to cisplatin was enhanced in cervical cancer cells transfected with USP22-siRNAs.Furthermore,tumorigene-sis assays proved tumor growth was inhibited and chemosensitivity to cisplatin was enhanced when USP22 was silenced in HeLa cells. Conclusion USP22 expression is upregulated in cervical cancer cells,and USP22 could promote cell proliferation and inhibit chemosensitivity to cisplatin in cervical cancer cells.

Expression and Clinical Significance of USP39 in Colon Cancer / 医学研究杂志

Objective To explore the expression of USP39 in tissues of colon cancer (CRC),investigate the association of the expression levels of USP39 and clinicopathological features of CRC patients,and analyze the relevance of USP39 and survival and prognosis of CRC patients.Methods Expressions of USP39 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 77 CRC patients.Spearman's rank test,K-M survival curves,and Cox proportional hazards risk were conducted to analyze the clinical relevance of USP39 in CRC.Results Immunohistochemistry revealed that the positive rate of USP39 was upregulated in CRC tissues compare with adjacent tissues Spearman rank correlation showed that positive USP39 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage,lymph node status and venous invasion of CRC patients.Kaplan-Meier curves showed that positive USP39 expression was inversely correlated with 5 years overall and progression-free survival time of CRC patients.Cox proportional hazards risk analysis revealed that USP39 was an independent prognostic factor for CRC.Conclusion USP39 expression is upregulated in tissues of CRC,and USP39 is a potential survival and prognosis biomarker in CRC.

Expression of USP10 in colorectal adenocarcinoma and analysis of bioinformatics / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the expression and significance of USP10 protein and mRNA in normal colorectal mucosa and colorectal adenocarcinoma,and to analyze the cause of the disorder.Methods 99 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma and 83 cases of normal intestinal mucosa tissue were selected.Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry the expression of USP10 protein was detected,and the relationship was analyzed between USP10 protein and clinical pathological parameters or prognosis survival time.The expression of USP10 mRNA was analyzed by GEO datesets.Some miRNAs that down-regulate the expression of USP10 protein were screened by bioinformatics methods.The expression of USP10 protein and miR-149 in colorectal cancer cell lines were detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR.Results The positive rate of USP10 protein in normal intestinal mucosa tissues was 71.08％(59/83),which was significantly higher than that in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues (53.54％,53/99,P =0.015).No correlation were proved between USP10 protein expression and clinical pathological parameters or survival time (P ＞ 0.05).The expression level of USP10 mRNA in colorectal adenocarcinoma was 1.07 ～ 1.45 times that were higher than that of normal intestinal mucosa,which showed that the down-regulation of USP10 protein was at the post-transcriptional level.The program predicted a putative highly-conserved binding site in the USP10 mRNA 3'UTR for miR-149 which was up regulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues.In addition,the expression of miR-149 was negatively correlated with the expression of USP10 protein in colorectal cancer cell lines.Conclusion The down-regulation of USP10 protein which occurs at the post-transcriptional level is closely related to the pathogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.The high expression of miR-149 may be one of the factors that negatively regulate the expression of USP10 protein.