Deubiquitinating enzyme USP41 promotes lung cancer cell proliferation and migration

To reveal the function of deubiquitylating enzyme USP41 in lung adenocarcinoma.

The relationship between USP41 and lung cancer was determined by analyzing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A549 and H1299 cell lines were transfected with short hairpin RNA against USP41 (shUSP41 group) or negative control (shCon group). Western blotting was used to verify the transfection efficacy and marker expression. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by EdU assay, MTT assay, and flow cytometry after USP41 knockdown. Transwell assay was used to determine the effect of USP41 downregulation on cell migration.

Analysis of lung cancer data from TCGA database indicated a higher level of USP41 expression in lung cancer tumor tissue compared with that in noncancerous tissue, and USP41 overexpression was correlated with poor overall survival of lung cancer patients (p < 0.01). The outcomes of the EdU, MTT, and flow cytometry assays indicated decreased cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in shUSP41-transfected cells. Transwell assay further demonstrated that USP41 knockdown increased the migration rate of A549 and H1299 cells.

In our study, USP41 was overexpressed in lung cancer tissue and associated with poor prognosis of lung cancer. USP41 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and migration and induces cell apoptosis of lung cancer.