Deubiquitinating enzymes: potential regulators of the tumor microenvironment and implications for immune evasion.

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination are important forms of posttranslational modification that govern protein homeostasis. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), a protein superfamily consisting of more than 100 members, deconjugate ubiquitin chains from client proteins to regulate cellular homeostasis. However, the dysregulation of DUBs is reportedly associated with several diseases, including cancer. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a highly complex entity comprising diverse noncancerous cells (e.g., immune cells and stromal cells) and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Since TME heterogeneity is closely related to tumorigenesis and immune evasion, targeting TME components has recently been considered an attractive therapeutic strategy for restoring antitumor immunity. Emerging studies have revealed the involvement of DUBs in immune modulation within the TME, including the regulation of immune checkpoints and immunocyte infiltration and function, which renders DUBs promising for potent cancer immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the roles of DUBs in the crosstalk between tumors and their surrounding components have not been comprehensively reviewed. In this review, we discuss the involvement of DUBs in the dynamic interplay between tumors, immune cells, and stromal cells and illustrate how dysregulated DUBs facilitate immune evasion and promote tumor progression. We also summarize potential small molecules that target DUBs to alleviate immunosuppression and suppress tumorigenesis. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges regarding the targeting of DUBs in cancer immunotherapeutics and several urgent problems that warrant further investigation.

Exploring the regulatory role of FBXL19-AS1 in triple-negative breast cancer through the miR-378a-3p/OTUB2 axis.

The regulatory potential of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) FBXL19-AS1 has been highlighted in various cancers, but its effect on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role of FBXL19-AS1 in TNBC and its underlying mechanism. RT-qPCR was employed to detect the expressions of FBXL19-AS1 and miR-378a-3p in tissues and cells. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot were utilized to detect the expression levels of proteins. Cell activities were detected using flow cytometry, CCK-8, and transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were deployed to investigate interactions of different molecules. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways were used to analyze the downstream pathway. In vivo xenograft model was conducted to detect the effect of FBXL19-AS1 on tumor growth. FBXL19-AS1 was overexpressed in TNBC tissues and cell lines compared with counterparts. FBXL19-AS1 knockdown suppressed TNBC cell activities, whereas its overexpression exhibited the opposite effect. Mechanistically, FBXL19-AS1 was found to interact with miR-378a-3p. Further analysis revealed that miR-378a-3p exerted tumor-suppressive effects in TNBC cells. Additionally, miR-378a-3p targeted and downregulated the expression of ubiquitin aldehyde binding 2 (OTUB2), a deubiquitinase associated with TNBC progression. In vivo experiments substantiated the inhibitory effects of FBXL19-AS1 knockdown on TNBC tumorigenesis, and a miR-378a-3p inhibitor partially rescued these effects. The downstream pathway of the miR-378a-3p/OTUB2 axis was explored, revealing connections with proteins involved in modifying other proteins, removing ubiquitin molecules, and influencing signaling pathways, including the Hippo signaling pathway. Western blot analysis confirmed changes in YAP and TAZ expression levels, indicating a potential regulatory network. In summary, FBXL19-AS1 promotes exacerbation in TNBC by suppressing miR-378a-3p, leading to increased OTUB2 expression. The downstream mechanism may be related to the Hippo signaling pathway. These findings propose potential therapeutic targets for TNBC treatment.

A protein sequence-based deep transfer learning framework for identifying human proteome-wide deubiquitinase-substrate interactions.

Protein ubiquitination regulates a wide range of cellular processes. The degree of protein ubiquitination is determined by the delicate balance between ubiquitin ligase (E3)-mediated ubiquitination and deubiquitinase (DUB)-mediated deubiquitination. In comparison to the E3-substrate interactions, the DUB-substrate interactions (DSIs) remain insufficiently investigated. To address this challenge, we introduce a protein sequence-based ab initio method, TransDSI, which transfers proteome-scale evolutionary information to predict unknown DSIs despite inadequate training datasets. An explainable module is integrated to suggest the critical protein regions for DSIs while predicting DSIs. TransDSI outperforms multiple machine learning strategies against both cross-validation and independent test. Two predicted DUBs (USP11 and USP20) for FOXP3 are validated by "wet lab" experiments, along with two predicted substrates (AR and p53) for USP22. TransDSI provides new functional perspective on proteins by identifying regulatory DSIs, and offers clues for potential tumor drug target discovery and precision drug application.

Deubiquitination of CDC6 by OTUD6A promotes tumour progression and chemoresistance.

BACKGROUND: CDC6 is an oncogenic protein whose expression level fluctuates during the cell cycle. Although several E3 ubiquitin ligases responsible for the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of CDC6 have been identified, the deubiquitination pathway for CDC6 has not been investigated. METHODS: The proteome-wide deubiquitinase (DUB) screening was used to identify the potential regulator of CDC6. Immunofluorescence, protein half-life and deubiquitination assays were performed to determine the protein stability of CDC6. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were implemented to analyse the impacts of OUTD6A-CDC6 axis on tumour growth and chemosensitivity in vitro. N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced conditional Otud6a knockout (CKO) mouse model and tumour xenograft model were performed to analyse the role of OTUD6A-CDC6 axis in vivo. Tissue specimens were used to determine the association between OTUD6A and CDC6. RESULTS: OTUD6A interacts with, depolyubiquitinates and stabilizes CDC6 by removing K6-, K33-, and K48-linked polyubiquitination. Moreover, OTUD6A promotes cell proliferation and decreases sensitivity to chemotherapy by upregulating CDC6. CKO mice are less prone to BCa tumorigenesis induced by BBN, and knockdown of OTUD6A inhibits tumour progression in vivo. Furthermore, OTUD6A protein level has a positive correlation with CDC6 protein level, and high protein levels of OTUD6A and CDC6 are associated with poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: We reveal an important yet missing piece of novel DUB governing CDC6 stability. In addition, our findings propose a model for the OTUD6A-CDC6 axis that provides novel insights into cell cycle and chemosensitivity regulation, which may become a potential biomarker and promising drug target for cancer treatment.

Novel insights into the role of ubiquitination in osteoarthritis.

Ubiquitination (Ub) and deubiquitination are crucial post-translational modifications (PTMs) that precisely regulate protein degradation. Under the catalysis of a cascade of E1-E2-E3 ubiquitin enzymes, ubiquitination extensively regulates protein degradation exerting direct impact on various cellular processes, while deubiquitination opposes the effect of ubiquitination and prevents proteins from degradation. Notably, such dynamic modifications have been widely investigated to be implicated in cell cycle, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and so on. Therefore, dysregulation of ubiquitination and deubiquitination could lead to certain diseases through abnormal protein accumulation and clearance. Increasing researches have revealed that the dysregulation of catalytic regulators of ubiquitination and deubiquitination triggers imbalance of cartilage homeostasis that promotes osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Hence, it is now believed that targeting on Ub enzymes and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) would provide potential therapeutic pathways. In the following sections, we will summarize the biological role of Ub enzymes and DUBs in the development and progression of OA by focusing on the updating researches, with the aim of deepening our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of OA pathogenesis concerning ubiquitination and deubiquitination, so as to explore novel potential therapeutic targets of OA treatment.

Viral deubiquitinating proteases and the promising strategies of their inhibition.

Several viruses are now known to code for deubiquitinating proteases in their genomes. Ubiquitination is an essential post-translational modification of cellular substrates involved in many processes in the cell, including in innate immune signalling. This post-translational modification is regulated by the ubiquitin conjugation machinery, as well as various host deubiquitinating enzymes. The conjugation of ubiquitin chains to several innate immune related factors is often needed to induce downstream signalling, shaping the antiviral response. Viral deubiquitinating proteins, besides often having a primary function in the viral replication cycle by cleaving the viral polyprotein, are also able to cleave ubiquitin chains from such host substrates, in that way exerting a function in innate immune evasion. The presence of viral deubiquitinating enzymes has been firmly established for numerous animal-infecting viruses, such as some well-researched and clinically important nidoviruses, and their presence has now been confirmed in several plant viruses as well. Viral proteases in general have long been highlighted as promising drug targets, with a current focus on small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we will discuss the range of viral deubiquitinating proteases known to date, summarise the various avenues explored to inhibit such proteases and discuss novel strategies and models intended to inhibit and study these specific viral enzymes.

The mechanism of USP43 in the development of tumor: a literature review.

Ubiquitination of the proteins is crucial for governing protein degradation and regulating fundamental cellular processes. Deubiquitinases (DUBs) have emerged as significant regulators of multiple pathways associated with cancer and other diseases, owing to their capacity to remove ubiquitin from target substrates and modulate signaling. Consequently, they represent potential therapeutic targets for cancer and other life-threatening conditions. USP43 belongs to the DUBs family involved in cancer development and progression. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing scientific evidence implicating USP43 in cancer development. Additionally, it will investigate potential small-molecule inhibitors that target DUBs that may have the capability to function as anti-cancer medicines.

The role of MrUbp4, a deubiquitinase, in conidial yield, thermotolerance, and virulence in Metarhizium robertsii.

Ubiquitin-specific proteases (UBPs), the largest subfamily of deubiquitinating enzymes, regulate ubiquitin homeostasis and play diverse roles in eukaryotes. Ubp4 is essential for the growth, development, and pathogenicity of various fungal pathogens. However, its functions in the growth, stress responses, and virulence of entomopathogenic fungi remain unclear. In this study, we elucidated the role of the homolog of Ubp4, MrUbp4, in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii. Deletion of MrUbp4 led to a notable increase in ubiquitination levels, demonstrating the involvement of MrUbp4 in protein deubiquitination. Furthermore, the ΔMrUbp4 mutant displayed a significant reduction in conidial yield, underscoring the pivotal role of MrUbp4 in conidiation. Additionally, the mutant exhibited heightened resistance to conidial heat treatment, emphasizing the role of MrUbp4 in thermotolerance. Notably, insect bioassays unveiled a substantial impairment in the virulence of the ΔMrUbp4 mutant. This was accompanied by a notable decrease in cuticle penetration ability and appressorium formation upon further analysis. In summary, our findings highlight the essential role of MrUbp4 in regulating the conidial yield, thermotolerance, and contributions to the virulence of M. robertsii.

OTUD1 enhances gastric cancer aggressiveness by deubiquitinating EBV-encoded protein BALF1 to stabilize the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in several cancers, including EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC). This study focuses on EBV-encoded BALF1 (BamH1 A fragment leftward reading frame 1), a key apoptosis regulator in EBV-related cancers, whose specific impact on EBVaGC was previously unknown. Our findings indicate that BALF1 overexpression in gastric cancer cells significantly enhances their proliferation, migration, and resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, confirming BALF1's oncogenic potential. A novel discovery is that BALF1 undergoes degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Through analysis of 69 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), ovarian tumor protease (OTU) domain-containing protein 1 (OTUD1) emerged as a vital regulator for maintaining BALF1 protein stability. Furthermore, BALF1 was found to play a role in regulating the stability of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein, increasing its levels through deubiquitination. This mechanism reveals BALF1's multifaceted oncogenic role in gastric cancer, as it contributes both directly and indirectly to cancer progression, particularly by stabilizing Bcl-2, known for its anti-apoptotic characteristics. These insights significantly deepen our understanding of EBV's involvement in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The elucidation of OTUD1's role in BALF1 regulation and its influence on Bcl-2 stabilization provide new avenues for therapeutic intervention in EBVaGC, bridging the gap between viral oncogenesis and cellular protein regulation and offering a more holistic view of gastric cancer development under the influence of EBV.

OTUD5 promotes the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma by deubiquitinating and stabilizing SLC38A1.

BACKGROUND: Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) cleave ubiquitin on substrate molecules to maintain protein stability. DUBs reportedly participate in the tumorigenesis and tumour progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OTU deubiquitinase 5 (OTUD5), a DUB family member, has been recognized as a critical regulator in bladder cancer, breast cancer and HCC. However, the expression and biological function of OTUD5 in HCC are still controversial. RESULTS: We determined that the expression of OTUD5 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues. High levels of OTUD5 were also detected in most HCC cell lines. TCGA data analysis demonstrated that high OTUD5 expression indicated poorer overall survival in HCC patients. OTUD5 silencing prominently suppressed HCC cell proliferation, while its overexpression markedly enhanced the proliferation of HCC cells. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed solute carrier family 38 member 1 (SLC38A1) as a candidate downstream target protein of OTUD5. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis confirmed the interaction between OTUD5 and SLC38A1. OTUD5 knockdown reduced and OTUD5 overexpression increased SLC38A1 protein levels in HCC cells. However, OTUD5 alteration had no effect on SLC38A1 mRNA expression. OTUD5 maintained SLC38A1 stability by preventing its ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. SLC38A1 silencing prominently attenuated the OTUD5-induced increase in HCC cell proliferation. Finally, OTUD5 knockdown markedly suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: OTUD5 is an oncogene in HCC. OTUD5 contributes to HCC cell proliferation by deubiquitinating and stabilizing SLC38A1. These results may provide a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-HCC drugs.

Deubiquitinase UCHL1 promotes angiogenesis and blood-spinal cord barrier function recovery after spinal cord injury by stabilizing Sox17.

Improving the function of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) benefits the functional recovery of mice following spinal cord injury (SCI). The death of endothelial cells and disruption of the BSCB at the injury site contribute to secondary damage, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system is involved in regulating protein function. However, little is known about the regulation of deubiquitinated enzymes in endothelial cells and their effect on BSCB function after SCI. We observed that Sox17 is predominantly localized in endothelial cells and is significantly upregulated after SCI and in LPS-treated brain microvascular endothelial cells. In vitro Sox17 knockdown attenuated endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation, while in vivo Sox17 knockdown inhibited endothelial regeneration and barrier recovery, leading to poor functional recovery after SCI. Conversely, in vivo overexpression of Sox17 promoted angiogenesis and functional recovery after injury. Additionally, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry revealed the interaction between the deubiquitinase UCHL1 and Sox17, which stabilized Sox17 and influenced angiogenesis and BSCB repair following injury. By generating UCHL1 conditional knockout mice and conducting rescue experiments, we further validated that the deubiquitinase UCHL1 promotes angiogenesis and restoration of BSCB function after injury by stabilizing Sox17. Collectively, our findings present a novel therapeutic target for treating SCI by revealing a potential mechanism for endothelial cell regeneration and BSCB repair after SCI.

Relevance of mutations in protein deubiquitinases genes and TP53 in corticotroph pituitary tumors.

Introduction: Corticotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) develop from ACTH-producing cells. They commonly cause Cushing's disease (CD), however, some remain clinically silent. Recurrent USP8, USP48, BRAF and TP53 mutations occur in corticotroph PitNETs. The aim of our study was to determine frequency and relevance of these mutations in a possibly large series of corticotroph PitNETs. Methods: Study included 147 patients (100 CD and 47 silent tumors) that were screened for hot-spot mutations in USP8, USP48 and BRAF with Sanger sequencing, while 128 of these patients were screened for TP53 mutations with next generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Results: USP8 mutations were found in 41% CD and 8,5% silent tumors, while USP48 mutations were found in 6% CD patients only. Both were more prevalent in women. They were related to higher rate of biochemical remission, non-invasive tumor growth, its smaller size and densely granulated histology, suggesting that these mutation may be favorable clinical features. Multivariate survival analyses did not confirm possible prognostic value of mutation in protein deubiquitinases. No BRAF mutations were found. Four TP53 mutations were identified (2 in CD, 2 in silent tumors) in tumors with size >10mm including 3 invasive ones. They were found in Crooke's cell and sparsely granulated tumors. Tumors with missense TP53 mutations had higher TP53 immunoreactivity score than wild-type tumors. Tumor with frameshift TP53 variant had low protein expression. TP53 mutation was a poor prognostic factor in CD according to uni- and multivariate survival analyses in spite of low mutations frequency. Conclusions: We confirmed high prevalence of USP8 mutations and low incidence of USP48 and TP53 mutations. Changes in protein deubiquitinases genes appear to be favorable prognostic factors in CD. TP53 mutations are rare, occur in both functioning and silent tumors and are related to poor clinical outcome in CD.

SIAH1 modulates antiviral immune responses by targeting deubiquitinase USP19.

Tight control of the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway is critical for maintaining host innate immune responses, and the ubiquitination and deubiquitination of signaling molecules are essential for signal transduction. Deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protein 19 (USP19) is known to be involved in deubiquitinating Beclin1, TRAF3, and TRIF for downregulation of the type I IFN signaling. Here, we show that SIAH1, a cellular E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in multicellular pathway, is a potent positive regulator of virus-mediated type I IFN signaling that maintains homeostasis within the antiviral immune response by targeting USP19. In the early stages of virus infection, stabilized SIAH1 directly interacts with the USP19 and simultaneously mediates K27-linked ubiquitination of 489, 490, and 610 residues of USP19 for proteasomal degradation. Additionally, we found that USP19 specifically interacts with MAVS and deubiquitinates K63-linked ubiquitinated MAVS for negative regulation of type I IFN signaling. Ultimately, we identified that SIAH1-mediated degradation of USP19 reversed USP19-mediated deubiquitination of MAVS, Beclin1, TRAF3, and TRIF, resulting in the activation of antiviral immune responses. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of USP19 and SIAH1, and suggest a critical role of SIAH1 in antiviral immune response and homeostasis.

A novel proteomic signature of osteoclast differentiation unveils the deubiquitinase UCHL1 as a necessary osteoclastogenic driver.

Bone destruction, a major source of morbidity, is mediated by heightened differentiation and activity of osteoclasts (OC), highly specialized multinucleated myeloid cells endowed with unique bone-resorptive capacity. The molecular mechanisms regulating OC differentiation in the bone marrow are still partly elusive. Here, we aimed to identify new regulatory circuits and actionable targets by comprehensive proteomic characterization of OCgenesis from mouse bone marrow monocytes, adopting two parallel unbiased comparative proteomic approaches. This work disclosed an unanticipated protein signature of OCgenesis, with most gene products currently unannotated in bone-related functions, revealing broad structural and functional cellular reorganization and divergence from macrophagic immune activity. Moreover, we identified the deubiquitinase UCHL1 as the most upregulated cytosolic protein in differentiating OCs. Functional studies proved it essential, as UCHL1 genetic and pharmacologic inhibition potently suppressed OCgenesis. Furthermore, proteomics and mechanistic dissection showed that UCHL1 supports OC differentiation by restricting the anti-OCgenic activity of NRF2, the transcriptional activator of the canonical antioxidant response, through redox-independent stabilization of the NRF2 inhibitor, KEAP1. Besides offering a valuable experimental framework to dissect OC differentiation, our study discloses the essential role of UCHL1, exerted through KEAP1-dependent containment of NRF2 anti-OCgenic activity, yielding a novel potential actionable pathway against bone loss.

Proteome-scale discovery of protein degradation and stabilization effectors.

Targeted protein degradation and stabilization are promising therapeutic modalities because of their potency, versatility and their potential to expand the druggable target space1,2. However, only a few of the hundreds of E3 ligases and deubiquitinases in the human proteome have been harnessed for this purpose, which substantially limits the potential of the approach. Moreover, there may be other protein classes that could be exploited for protein stabilization or degradation3-5, but there are currently no methods that can identify such effector proteins in a scalable and unbiased manner. Here we established a synthetic proteome-scale platform to functionally identify human proteins that can promote the degradation or stabilization of a target protein in a proximity-dependent manner. Our results reveal that the human proteome contains a large cache of effectors of protein stability. The approach further enabled us to comprehensively compare the activities of human E3 ligases and deubiquitinases, identify and characterize non-canonical protein degraders and stabilizers and establish that effectors have vastly different activities against diverse targets. Notably, the top degraders were more potent against multiple therapeutically relevant targets than the currently used E3 ligases cereblon and VHL. Our study provides a functional catalogue of stability effectors for targeted protein degradation and stabilization and highlights the potential of induced proximity screens for the discovery of new proximity-dependent protein modulators.

YTHDF2 protein stabilization by the deubiquitinase OTUB1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation via PRSS8 mRNA degradation.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in males. Dysregulation of RNA adenine N-6 methylation (m6A) contributes to cancer malignancy. m6A on mRNA may affect mRNA splicing, turnover, transportation, and translation. m6A exerts these effects, at least partly, through dedicated m6A reader proteins, including YTH domain-containing family protein 2 (YTHDF2). YTHDF2 is necessary for development while its dysregulation is seen in various cancers, including prostate cancer. However, the mechanism underlying the dysregulation and function of YTHDF2 in cancer remains elusive. Here, we find that the deubiquitinase OUT domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde-binding protein 1 (OTUB1) increases YTHDF2 protein stability by inhibiting its ubiquitination. With in vivo and in vitro ubiquitination assays, OTUB1 is shown to block ubiquitin transfer to YTHDF2 independent of its deubiquitinase activity. Furthermore, analysis of functional transcriptomic data and m6A-sequencing data identifies PRSS8 as a potential tumor suppressor gene. OTUB1 and YTHDF2 decrease mRNA and protein levels of PRSS8, which is a trypsin-like serine protease. Mechanistically, YTHDF2 binds PRSS8 mRNA and promotes its degradation in an m6A-dependent manner. Further functional study on cellular and mouse models reveals PRSS8 is a critical downstream effector of the OTUB1-YTHDF2 axis in prostate cancer. We find in prostate cancer cells, PRSS8 decreases nuclear ß-catenin level through E-cadherin, which is independent of its protease activity. Collectively, our study uncovers a key regulator of YTHDF2 protein stability and establishes a functional OTUB1-YTHDF2-PRSS8 axis in prostate cancer.

Honokiol induces ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells through the regulation of YAP by OTUB2.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is prevalent in female reproductive organs. Despite recent advances, clinical outcomes remain poor, warranting fresh treatment avenues. Honokiol has an inhibitory effect on proliferation, invasion, and survival of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this study intended to explore specific molecular mechanism by which honokiol affected OVCA progression. METHODS: Bioinformatics analyzed the drug honokiol that bound to OTU deubiquitinase, ubiquitin aldehyde binding 2 (OTUB2). Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) verified the binding relationship between honokiol and OTUB2. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) tested the IC50 value and cell viability of OVCA cells after honokiol treatment. Corresponding assay kits determined malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and Fe2+ levels in OVCA cells. Flow cytometry measured reactive oxygen species levels. Western blot detected OTUB2, SLC7A11, and transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detected OTUB2 expression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detected the expression level of Ki67 protein in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Honokiol was capable of inducing ferroptosis in OVCA cells. CETSA confirmed that honokiol could bind to OTUB2. Further cell functional and molecular experiments revealed that honokiol induced ferroptosis in OVCA cells via repression of YAP signaling pathway through binding to OTUB2. In addition, in vivo experiments have confirmed that honokiol could inhibit the growth of OVCA. CONCLUSION: Honokiol induced ferroptosis in OVCA cells via repression of YAP signaling pathway through binding to OTUB2, implicating that OTUB2 may be an effective target for OVCA treatment, and our study results may provide new directions for development of more effective OVCA treatment strategies.

The deubiquitinase BRCC3 increases the stability of ZEB1 and promotes the proliferation and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a high recurrence rate, metastasis rate and mortality rate. The aim of this study is to identify new targets for the treatment of TNBC. Clinical samples are used for screening deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). MDA-MB-231 cells and a TNBC mouse model are used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. Western blot analysis is used to detect the protein expressions of DUBs, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers. Colony formation and transwell assays are used to detect the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells. Wound healing assay is used to detect the mobility of TNBC cells. Immunoprecipitation assay is used to detect the interaction between breast cancer susceptibility gene 1/2-containing complex subunit 3 (BRCC3) and ZEB1. ZEB1 ubiquitination levels, protein stability, and protein degradation are also examined. Pathological changes in the lung tissues are detected via HE staining. Our results show a significant positive correlation between the expressions of BRCC3 and ZEB1 in clinical TNBC tissues. Interference with BRCC3 inhibits TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. BRCC3 interacts with ZEB1 and interferes with BRCC3 to inhibit ZEB1 expression by increasing ZEB1 ubiquitination. Interference with BRCC3 inhibits TNBC cell tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in vivo. In all, this study demonstrates that BRCC3 can increase the stability of ZEB1, upregulate ZEB1 expression, and promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT, and metastasis of TNBC cells, providing a new direction for cancer therapy.

MAVS promotes interferon signaling in RNA virus infection by ZUFSP-mediated chromatin regulation.

Mitochondria serve as a platform for innate immune signaling transduction, and mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is essential for interferon-ß (IFN-ß) production and innate antiviral immunity against RNA viruses. Here, we identified zinc finger-containing ubiquitin peptidase 1 (ZUFSP/ZUP1) as a MAVS-interacting protein by using proximity-based labeling technology in HEK293T and found it could act as a positive regulator of the retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors(RLRs), including RIG-I and interferon-induced helicase C domain-containing protein 1 (MDA5). ZUFSP deficiency markedly inhibited RNA virus-triggered induction of downstream antiviral genes, and Zufsp-deficient mice were more susceptible to RNA virus infection. After RNA virus infection,ZUFSP was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus and interacted with chromatin remodeling complex to facilitate the opening of IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) loci for transcription. This study provides a critical mechanistic basis for MAVS-regulated chromatin remodeling to promote interferon signaling.

Profiling of deubiquitinases that control virulence in the pathogenic plant fungus Fusarium graminearum.

Eukaryotes have evolved sophisticated post-translational modifications to regulate protein function and numerous biological processes, including ubiquitination controlled by the coordinated action of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes and deubiquitinating enzymes (Dubs). However, the function of deubiquitination in pathogenic fungi is largely unknown. Here, the distribution of Dubs in the fungal kingdom was surveyed and their functions were systematically characterized using the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum as the model species, which causes devastating diseases of all cereal species world-wide. Our findings demonstrate that Dubs are critical for fungal development and virulence, especially the ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (Ubp15). Global ubiquitome analysis and subsequent experiments identified three important substrates of Ubp15, including the autophagy-related protein Atg8, the mitogen-activated protein kinase Gpmk1, and the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthetic protein Tri4. Ubp15 regulates the deubiquitination of the Atg8, thereby impacting its subcellular localization and the autophagy process. Moreover, Ubp15 also modulates the deubiquitination of Gpmk1 and Tri4. This modulation subsequently influences their protein stabilities and further affects the formation of penetration structures and the biosynthetic process of DON, respectively. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory pathway of a deubiquitinating enzyme for fungal virulence and highlight the potential of Ubp15 as a target for combating fungal diseases.