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Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Purification of Ubiquitinated p53 Proteins from Mammalian Cells
Published on: March 21, 2022
A negative feedback regulatory loop between miR-138 and TP53 is mediated by USP10
Zhenghua Luo1, Manchao Zhang1, Ri Cui1
1Department of Cancer Biology and Medical Genetics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Abstract:
TP53 is a critical tumor suppressor. In approximately 50% of human cancers the TP53 gene is either lost or mutated. The expression level of TP53 in the cells is tightly controlled by a fine-tune machinery, mainly through the Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination pathway. On the other side, the ubiquitinated TP53 could be reversed and stabilized by USP7 and USP10, to keep the amount of TP53 in check. MicroRNAs can negatively regulate TP53 expression levels through direct targeting or positively regulate TP53 function through the repression of negative regulators of TP53. Here we report that microRNA-138 controls TP53 expression by directly targeting USP10. Furthermore, TP53 represses microRNA-138 expression, forming a negative feedback regulatory loop. This finding adds another layer of complexity to the TP53 network.
Insights
MicroRNA-138 regulates the tumor suppressor TP53 by targeting USP10. A feedback loop exists where TP53 represses microRNA-138, adding complexity to cancer gene networks.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- TP53 is a crucial tumor suppressor gene, frequently altered in human cancers.
- TP53 expression is tightly regulated by pathways including Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination and deubiquitination by USP7 and USP10.
- MicroRNAs play roles in regulating TP53 levels and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-138 in regulating TP53.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanism involving microRNA-138, TP53, and USP10.
Main Methods:
- Investigated microRNA-138's direct targeting of USP10.
- Analyzed the feedback loop between TP53 and microRNA-138 expression.
Main Results:
- MicroRNA-138 directly targets and regulates USP10.
- TP53 was found to repress microRNA-138 expression.
- A negative feedback regulatory loop between TP53 and microRNA-138 was identified.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNA-138 acts as a regulator of TP53 by targeting USP10.
- The discovered negative feedback loop adds complexity to the TP53 regulatory network in cancer.
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