USP22 promotes NSCLC tumorigenesis via MDMX up-regulation and subsequent p53 inhibition

Fangbao Ding1, Chunrong Bao2, Yue Tian3

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200092, China. drnail@sina.com.

Insights

Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth by upregulating MDMX and inhibiting p53. Silencing USP22 offers a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) is increasingly recognized for its significant role in cancer pathology.
  • Understanding USP22's function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of USP22 in human NSCLC tumorigenesis.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involving the p53 pathway and MDMX.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of USP22 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines.
  • USP22 silencing using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in vitro and in vivo (mouse xenograft model).
  • Assessment of cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, p53 pathway activation, and protein interactions (co-immunoprecipitation).

Main Results:

  • USP22 is significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines.
  • USP22 silencing inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and suppressed tumor growth.
  • USP22 silencing downregulated MDMX, activated the p53 pathway, and USP22 was found to interact with MDMX.

Conclusions:

  • USP22 promotes NSCLC tumorigenesis by upregulating MDMX and subsequently inhibiting the p53 pathway.
  • USP22 represents a potential novel therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.5K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
10.5K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

3.1K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
8.0K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
5.1K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.4K