USP37 promotes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma progression by deubiquitinating and stabilizing c-myc

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with MYC and BCL2 co-expression (
• double expressor lymphomas
• ) has a poorer prognosis.
• The role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 37 (USP37) in stabilizing c-myc is known in lung cancer but unexplored in DLBCL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and mechanism of USP37 in DLBCL pathogenesis.
• To evaluate USP37 as a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL.

Main Methods:

• Detection of USP37 expression in DLBCL tissues and cells using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot.
• In vitro studies involving transfection of DLBCL cells with si-USP37.
• In vivo studies using mouse xenograft models.

Main Results:

• USP37 expression was elevated in DLBCL tissues and cells.
• USP37 knockdown in DLBCL cells reduced proliferation and promoted cell cycle arrest.
• USP37 deubiquitinates and stabilizes c-myc, promoting DLBCL cell proliferation and cell cycle progression.
• USP37 depletion inhibited tumor xenograft development in mice, an effect partially reversed by c-myc overexpression.

Conclusions:

• USP37 promotes DLBCL progression by stabilizing c-myc.
• USP37 is a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL, particularly for "double expressor lymphomas".