USP15 Drives NSCLC Progression and Chemoresistance, Potentially via Regulation of the U2-Type Spliceosomal Complex

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy with the highest cancer-related mortality rate. More than 50% of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, often accompanied by chemoresistance and poor prognosis. Deubiquitinases (DUBs), which regulate various signaling pathways by removing ubiquitin moieties, are frequently dysregulated in tumors, including the ubiquitin-specific processing protease 15 (USP15). However, the biological role of USP15 in NSCLC progression remains poorly defined. This study aimed to investigate the biological function and mechanistic relevance of USP15 in NSCLC.

USP15 expression in human NSCLC tumor tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Western blotting was performed to evaluate USP15 protein levels in various NSCLC cell lines. Functional assays were conducted to examine the effects of USP15 knockdown on NSCLC cell growth, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Chemosensitivity assays were carried out using topotecan and irinotecan. Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed through immunoprecipitation of tGFP-tagged USP15 followed by LC-MS/MS to identify USP15-interacting proteins.

USP15 was significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. This finding was further supported by western blot analysis showing elevated USP15 levels across multiple NSCLC cell lines. Knockdown of USP15 impaired NSCLC cell growth and invasion, reduced EMT marker expression, and re-sensitized cells to topotecan and irinotecan. Proteomic profiling identified USP15-interacting proteins enriched in the U2-type spliceosomal complex and RNA helicase activity, suggesting a role for USP15 in regulating pre-mRNA splicing.

This study demonstrates the oncogenic role of USP15 in NSCLC, highlighting its contribution to tumor progression, chemoresistance, and RNA processing. The findings provide mechanistic insights into how USP15 may drive NSCLC pathogenesis through modulation of spliceosome-associated proteins. These results support the potential of USP15 as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in NSCLC.