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Updated: Jun 30, 2025
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SUMO-Binding Entities SUBEs as Tools for the Enrichment, Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of the SUMO Proteome in Liver Cancer
Published on: November 1, 2019
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SUMOylation controls Hu antigen R posttranscriptional activity in liver cancer
Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega1, Claudia M Rejano-Gordillo2, Jorge Simon3
1Liver Disease Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.
Cell Reports
|March 20, 2024
Summary
Protein SUMOylation regulates Hu antigen R (HuR) in liver cancer, promoting tumor growth and invasion. Blocking HuR SUMOylation may offer a new therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Posttranslational modifications are crucial for biological processes.
- The RNA-binding protein Hu antigen R (HuR) is a key regulator in liver cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SUMOylation in regulating HuR function in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- To explore the potential of targeting HuR SUMOylation as a therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HuR SUMOylation in patient tumor tissues, human cell lines, and mouse models.
- Assessment of cancer hallmarks like proliferation and invasion.
- Investigation of the structural and functional consequences of HuR SUMOylation on RNA binding and transcriptomic profiles.
Main Results:
- HuR is SUMOylated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and models, unlike surrounding normal tissue.
- SUMOylation of HuR enhances cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
- Absence of HuR SUMOylation leads to cellular senescence and organelle dysfunction.
- SUMOylation restructures HuR's RNA recognition motifs, altering RNA binding affinity and promoting tumor progression.
Conclusions:
- SUMOylation is a critical regulatory mechanism for HuR in liver cancer.
- Targeting HuR SUMOylation presents a potential therapeutic avenue for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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