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Updated: Aug 21, 2025

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A micropeptide JunBP regulated by TGF-β promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis

Hongwei Zhang1,2, Zhibin Liao1,2, Weijian Wang1,2

  • 1Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.

Oncogene
|November 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) activates LINC02551, which produces JunBP. This peptide promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis via a positive feedback loop, offering new therapeutic targets for HCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling is crucial in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.
  • Long intergenic non-protein coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are integral to TGF-β signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of LINC02551 and its encoded peptide in HCC.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which LINC02551 influences HCC metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptional analysis of LINC02551 activation by TGF-β.
  • Identification and characterization of the Jun binding micropeptide (JunBP).
  • Functional studies on JunBP's interaction with c-Jun and SMAD3 in HCC cell lines.

Main Results:

  • LINC02551 is transcriptionally activated by TGF-β.
  • A novel peptide, JunBP, encoded by LINC02551, was identified in HCC.
  • JunBP promotes HCC metastasis by activating c-Jun, which enhances SMAD3 binding to the LINC02551 promoter, creating a positive feedback loop.

Conclusions:

  • A novel molecular mechanism involving LINC02551, JunBP, c-Jun, and SMAD3 drives HCC progression.
  • This pathway represents a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

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