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Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
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Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

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ZDHHC22-mediated mTOR palmitoylation restrains breast cancer growth and endocrine therapy resistance

Jiefeng Huang1,2,3, Jie Li4,3, Jun Tang3

  • 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|May 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

ZDHHC22 is downregulated in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, impacting patient prognosis. This palmitoyltransferase inhibits cancer cell proliferation by reducing mTOR stability and AKT pathway activation, offering a potential therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Palmitoylation regulates protein stability and interactions, crucial for cancer hallmarks.
  • The role of ZDHHC22, a palmitoyltransferase, in cancer remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ZDHHC22 in breast cancer (BrCa) development and progression.
  • To explore ZDHHC22 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in BrCa.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ZDHHC22 expression in BrCa tissues and cell lines.
  • In vitro and in vivo assays to assess ZDHHC22's effect on BrCa cell proliferation.
  • Investigation of ZDHHC22's mechanism involving mTOR stability and AKT signaling.
  • Assessment of ZDHHC22's impact on tamoxifen sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • ZDHHC22 expression is significantly lower in ER-negative BrCa tissues and cell lines.
  • Lower ZDHHC22 expression correlates positively with better clinical prognosis.
  • ZDHHC22 inhibits BrCa cell proliferation via its palmitoyltransferase activity.
  • ZDHHC22 reduces mTOR stability, decreases AKT pathway activation, and restores tamoxifen sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • ZDHHC22 functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
  • ZDHHC22 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for BrCa patients.
  • Targeting ZDHHC22 or its downstream pathways could offer new therapeutic strategies, particularly for endocrine-resistant BrCa.
Keywords:
Breast cancerEndocrine therapy resistancePalmitoylationZDHHC22mTOR

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