Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model
09:00

Comparative Strategies for Ubiquitination Detection in Mammalian Cell Lysates Using SMAD2/SMURF2 as a Model

Published on: April 17, 2026

263

Bidirectional regulation of the ubiquitin-RNA modification axis in cancer

Kailang Li1,2, Lingling Bao1,2, Bitao Jiang1,2

  • 1Department of Oncology, Beilun Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|April 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The ubiquitination system and RNA-modifying proteins (RMPs) have a bidirectional relationship that impacts cancer progression. Targeting this RNA modification and ubiquitination crosstalk offers promising therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • RNA modifications, regulated by RNA-modifying proteins (RMPs), are crucial for gene expression and cellular fate, and are linked to cancer.
  • Dysregulated RMPs in tumors disrupt RNA modification homeostasis, promoting cancer progression via proliferation, metastasis, and immune evasion.
  • The ubiquitination system critically regulates RMP stability and activity, influencing the cancer epitranscriptome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically examine the bidirectional regulatory axis between ubiquitination and RMPs in cancer pathogenesis.
  • To explore how ubiquitination controls RMP activity and epitranscriptomic alterations.
  • To investigate the reciprocal influence of RNA modifications on ubiquitination pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the interplay between ubiquitination and RNA modification pathways in cancer.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms by which ubiquitination affects RMP function and epitranscriptome.
  • Evaluation of how RNA modifications feedback into ubiquitination pathways.

Main Results:

  • A bidirectional crosstalk exists between RMPs and ubiquitination, forming a regulatory network that enhances cancer adaptability.
  • Ubiquitination controls RMP stability and activity, leading to epitranscriptomic alterations that promote cancer.
  • RNA modifications reciprocally influence ubiquitination by modulating the stability and translation of mRNAs encoding ubiquitination factors.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting the ubiquitination-epitranscriptome axis presents promising therapeutic strategies for cancer.
  • Understanding this dynamic regulatory network is crucial for developing novel oncology treatments.
  • Further research is needed to fully decode the therapeutic potential of this crosstalk in cancer development.
Keywords:
RNA modificationscancerepitranscriptomicsnetworkubiquitination

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