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USP41 Enhances Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Breast Cancer Cells through Snail Stabilization

Ji-Yun Yoon1, Seung-Un Seo1, Seon-Min Woo1

  • 1Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 21, 2023
PubMed

Insights

USP41 deubiquitinase promotes breast cancer cell migration by stabilizing Snail protein. This finding reveals USP41 as a potential therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Ubiquitination is a key post-translational modification regulating protein degradation.
  • Deubiquitinases (DUBs) counteract ubiquitination, stabilizing target proteins.
  • USP41 is implicated in cancer progression, but its role in breast cancer is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism and role of USP41 in breast cancer.
  • To investigate the impact of USP41 on breast cancer cell aggressive phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of USP41 expression in breast cancer tissues.
  • In vitro studies involving USP41 knockdown and overexpression in breast cancer cells.
  • Investigation of USP41 interaction with Snail and its effect on Snail ubiquitination.

Main Results:

  • USP41 is overexpressed in aggressive breast cancer cells, correlating with poor prognosis.
  • USP41 knockdown inhibits breast cancer cell migration and growth.
  • USP41 directly interacts with and deubiquitinates Snail, increasing its stability.
  • USP41 overexpression enhances cell migration and growth by stabilizing Snail.

Conclusions:

  • USP41 promotes breast cancer cell migration and growth by stabilizing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker Snail.
  • USP41 represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Keywords:
EMTUSP41breast cancerdeubiquitinasesnail

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