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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Chemical Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by Pomalidomide-based Homo-PROTACs
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Brominated flame retardants: UQCRC1 and NR3C2 as potential targets in IBD and CRC

Jianhai Wu1, Haoran Li2, Chongying Wu3

  • 1Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China.

Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
|June 18, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) alter colon cell function and gene expression. BFR exposure is linked to poor prognosis and immune changes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are persistent environmental pollutants with known health risks.
  • The specific molecular mechanisms by which BFRs influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key molecular targets that link BFR exposure to the development and progression of IBD and CRC.
  • To investigate the prognostic and immunological significance of these identified targets in human IBD and CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a multi-omics approach integrating computational toxicology, bioinformatics, and molecular docking.
  • Validated key gene targets using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and in vitro functional assays in human CRC and normal colon cells.

Main Results:

  • Identified 12 core molecular targets, with UQCRC1 and NR3C2 showing stable binding to BFRs and predicting poor prognosis.
  • BFR exposure promoted CRC cell proliferation and viability while downregulating UQCRC1/NR3C2. In normal cells, BFRs caused cytotoxicity, inflammation, and disrupted intestinal barrier function.

Conclusions:

  • BFR exposure alters UQCRC1/NR3C2 expression and induces phenotypic changes in colon cells.
  • Dysregulation of UQCRC1 and NR3C2 is significantly correlated with clinical outcomes and the tumor immune microenvironment in IBD and CRC patients.
Keywords:
BFRsImmunosuppressionMolecular dockingNR3C2UQCRC1

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