scholarly journals Drug Development Targeting the Ubiquitin–Proteasome System (UPS) for the Treatment of Human Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaonan Zhang ◽  
Stig Linder ◽  
Martina Bazzaro
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Catalytic Core ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzymes

Cancer cells are characterized by a higher rate of protein turnover and greater demand for protein homeostasis compared to normal cells. In this scenario, the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), which is responsible for the degradation of over 80% of cellular proteins within mammalian cells, becomes vital to cancer cells, making the UPS a critical target for the discovery of novel cancer therapeutics. This review systematically categorizes all current reported small molecule inhibitors of the various essential components of the UPS, including ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1s), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), ubiquitin ligases (E3s), the 20S proteasome catalytic core particle (20S CP) and the 19S proteasome regulatory particles (19S RP), as well as their mechanism/s of action and limitations. We also discuss the immunoproteasome which is considered as a prospective therapeutic target of the next generation of proteasome inhibitors in cancer therapies.

scholarly journals EVI/WLS function is regulated by ubiquitination and linked to ER-associated degradation by ERLIN2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie M. Wolf ◽  
Annika M. Lambert ◽  
Julie Haenlin ◽  
Michael Boutros
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Wnt Proteins ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Endogenous Substrate ◽  
Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzymes ◽  
Ubiquitination Machinery

WNT signalling is important for development in all metazoan animals and is associated with various human diseases. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) and regulatory ER-associated degradation (ERAD) have been implicated in the production of WNT proteins. Here, we investigated how the WNT secretory factor EVI/WLS is ubiquitinated, recognised by ERAD components and subsequently removed from the secretory pathway. We performed a focused, immunoblot-based RNAi screen for factors that influence EVI/WLS protein stability. We identified the VCP-binding proteins FAF2 and UBXN4 as novel interaction partners of EVI/WLS and showed that ERLIN2 links EVI/WLS to the ubiquitination machinery. Interestingly, we found in addition that EVI/WLS is ubiquitinated and degraded in cells irrespective of their level of WNT production. This K11, K48, and K63-linked ubiquitination is mediated by the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes UBE2J2, UBE2K, and UBE2N, but independent of the E3 ligases HRD1/SYVN or GP78/AMFR. Taken together, our study identified factors that link the UPS to the WNT secretory pathway and provides mechanistic details on the fate of an endogenous substrate of regulatory ERAD in mammalian cells.

scholarly journals Beclin 1 Enhances Proteasome Inhibition-Mediated Cytotoxicity of Thyroid Cancer Cells in Macroautophagy-Independent Manner

2013 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. E217-E226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Yan Zhang ◽  
Zhen-Xian Du ◽  
Xin Meng ◽  
Zhi-Hong Zong ◽  
Hua-Qin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Essential Gene ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Proteasome Inhibition ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Beclin 1 ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Thyroid Cancer Cells

Abstract Context: The ubiquitin–proteasome system and macroautophagy are two major pathways for intracellular protein degradation. Emerging lines of evidence have shown that blockade of ubiquitin–proteasome system by proteasome inhibitors activates macroautophagy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the involvement of autophagy essential gene Beclin 1 in cytotoxicity of thyroid cancer cells mediated by proteasome inhibitors. Design: Autophagy was measured by acidic-trophic dye staining and EGF-LC3 distribution using fluorescence microscopy, as well as LC3-II transition using Western blot. To ascertain the effect of Beclin 1, cells were transfected with Beclin 1 plasmid or shRNA against Beclin 1. Cell viability and apoptotic cells were measured using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Results: Proteasome inhibitors decreased Beclin 1 expression. In addition, treatment with PI3K inhibitors 3-MA or wortmannin, as well as knockdown of Beclin 1 expression, was unable to affect autophagic responses mediated by proteasome inhibitors. Overexpression of Beclin 1 enhanced proteasome inhibitor–mediated cytotoxicity of thyroid cancer cells via suppression of survivin. Conclusions: Proteasome inhibitors cause Beclin 1–independent macroautophagic responses of thyroid cancer cells in a Beclin 1–independent manner. Beclin 1 possesses autophagy-independent antitumoral effects upon exposure of thyroid cancer cells to proteasome inhibitors.

scholarly journals Targeting the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System for Cancer Therapeutics by Small-Molecule Inhibitors

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3079
Author(s):  
Gabriel LaPlante ◽  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Protein Degradation ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Small Molecule Inhibitors ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a critical regulator of cellular protein levels and activity. It is, therefore, not surprising that its dysregulation is implicated in numerous human diseases, including many types of cancer. Moreover, since cancer cells exhibit increased rates of protein turnover, their heightened dependence on the UPS makes it an attractive target for inhibition via targeted therapeutics. Indeed, the clinical application of proteasome inhibitors in treatment of multiple myeloma has been very successful, stimulating the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting other UPS components. On the other hand, while the discovery of potent and selective chemical compounds can be both challenging and time consuming, the area of targeted protein degradation through utilization of the UPS machinery has seen promising developments in recent years. The repertoire of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which employ E3 ligases for the degradation of cancer-related proteins via the proteasome, continues to grow. In this review, we will provide a thorough overview of small-molecule UPS inhibitors and highlight advancements in the development of targeted protein degradation strategies for cancer therapeutics.

scholarly journals EVI/WLS function is regulated by ubiquitination and linked to ER-associated degradation by ERLIN2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Wolf ◽  
Annika Lambert ◽  
Julie Haenlin ◽  
Michael Boutros
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Wnt Proteins ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Endogenous Substrate ◽  
Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzymes ◽  
Ubiquitination Machinery

Wnt signalling is important for development in all metazoan animals and associated with various human diseases. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) and regulatory ER- associated degradation (ERAD) has been implicated in the secretion of WNT proteins. Here, we investigated how the WNT secretory factor EVI/WLS is ubiquitinated, recognised by ERAD components, and subsequently removed from the secretory pathway. We performed a focused, immunoblot-based RNAi screen for factors that influence EVI/WLS protein stability. We identified the VCP-binding proteins FAF2 and UBXN4 as novel interaction partners of EVI/WLS and showed that ERLIN2 links EVI/WLS to the ubiquitination machinery. Interestingly, we found in addition that EVI/WLS is ubiquitinated and degraded in cells irrespective of their level of WNT production. K11, K48, and K63-linked ubiquitination is mediated by the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes UBE2J2, UBE2N, and UBE2K, but independent of the E3 ligases HRD1/SYVN. Taken together, our study identified factors that link UPS to the WNT secretory pathway and provides mechanistic details on the fate of an endogenous substrate of regulatory ERAD in mammalian cells.

scholarly journals Downregulation of PA28α induces proteasome remodeling and results in resistance to proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyan Gu ◽  
Benjamin G. Barwick ◽  
Mala Shanmugam ◽  
Craig C. Hofmeister ◽  
Jonathan Kaufman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Proteasome Inhibitors ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Myeloma Cell ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Protein Homeostasis ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Cell Growth And Proliferation

AbstractProtein homeostasis is critical for maintaining eukaryotic cell function as well as responses to intrinsic and extrinsic stress. The proteasome is a major portion of the proteolytic machinery in mammalian cells and plays an important role in protein homeostasis. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy with high production of immunoglobulins and is especially sensitive to treatments that impact protein catabolism. Therapeutic agents such as proteasome inhibitors have demonstrated significant benefit for myeloma patients in all treatment phases. Here, we demonstrate that the 11S proteasome activator PA28α is upregulated in MM cells and is key for myeloma cell growth and proliferation. PA28α also regulates MM cell sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors. Downregulation of PA28α inhibits both proteasomal load and activity, resulting in a change in protein homeostasis less dependent on the proteasome and leads to cell resistance to proteasome inhibitors. Thus, our findings suggest an important role of PA28α in MM biology, and also provides a new approach for targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ultimately sensitivity to proteasome inhibitors.

scholarly journals Breakdown of Filamentous Myofibrils by the UPS–Step by Step

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Dina Aweida ◽  
Shenhav Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Protein Quality ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Catalytic Core ◽  
Complex Protein ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Aaa Atpases

Protein degradation maintains cellular integrity by regulating virtually all biological processes, whereas impaired proteolysis perturbs protein quality control, and often leads to human disease. Two major proteolytic systems are responsible for protein breakdown in all cells: autophagy, which facilitates the loss of organelles, protein aggregates, and cell surface proteins; and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), which promotes degradation of mainly soluble proteins. Recent findings indicate that more complex protein structures, such as filamentous assemblies, which are not accessible to the catalytic core of the proteasome in vitro, can be efficiently degraded by this proteolytic machinery in systemic catabolic states in vivo. Mechanisms that loosen the filamentous structure seem to be activated first, hence increasing the accessibility of protein constituents to the UPS. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms underlying the disassembly and loss of the intricate insoluble filamentous myofibrils, which are responsible for muscle contraction, and whose degradation by the UPS causes weakness and disability in aging and disease. Several lines of evidence indicate that myofibril breakdown occurs in a strictly ordered and controlled manner, and the function of AAA-ATPases is crucial for their disassembly and loss.

scholarly journals Bidirectional Interaction Between Cancer Cells and Platelets Provides Potential Strategies for Cancer Therapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liuting Yu ◽  
Yao Guo ◽  
Zhiguang Chang ◽  
Dengyang Zhang ◽  
Shiqiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Antiplatelet Agents ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Tumor Cell Adhesion ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Adhesion And Invasion

Platelets are essential components in the tumor microenvironment. For decades, clinical data have demonstrated that cancer patients have a high risk of thrombosis that is associated with adverse prognosis and decreased survival, indicating the involvement of platelets in cancer progression. Increasing evidence confirms that cancer cells are able to induce production and activation of platelets. Once activated, platelets serve as allies of cancer cells in tumor growth and metastasis. They can protect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) against the immune system and detachment-induced apoptosis while facilitating angiogenesis and tumor cell adhesion and invasion. Therefore, antiplatelet agents and platelet-based therapies should be developed for cancer treatment. Here, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the bidirectional cancer-platelet crosstalk and platelet-based therapeutic approaches.

Ubiquitin-proteasome System Is a Promising Target for Killing Cisplatin-resistant Bladder Cancer Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 2901-2912
Author(s):  
KAZUKI OKUBO ◽  
MAKOTO ISONO ◽  
TAKAKO ASANO ◽  
NINA REßING ◽  
WOLFGANG A. SCHULZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Bladder Cancer Cells ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome

scholarly journals Noncoding RNA MaIL1 is an integral component of the TLR4–TRIF pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (16) ◽  
pp. 9042-9053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Aznaourova ◽  
Harshavardhan Janga ◽  
Stephanie Sefried ◽  
Andreas Kaufmann ◽  
Jens Dorna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome System ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Type I ◽  
Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Highly Correlated

RNA has been proposed as an important scaffolding factor in the nucleus, aiding protein complex assembly in the dense intracellular milieu. Architectural contributions of RNA to cytosolic signaling pathways, however, remain largely unknown. Here, we devised a multidimensional gradient approach, which systematically locates RNA components within cellular protein networks. Among a subset of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) cosedimenting with the ubiquitin–proteasome system, our approach unveiled ncRNA MaIL1 as a critical structural component of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) immune signal transduction pathway. RNA affinity antisense purification–mass spectrometry (RAP-MS) revealed MaIL1 binding to optineurin (OPTN), a ubiquitin-adapter platforming TBK1 kinase. MaIL1 binding stabilized OPTN, and consequently, loss of MaIL1 blunted OPTN aggregation, TBK1-dependent IRF3 phosphorylation, and type I interferon (IFN) gene transcription downstream of TLR4. MaIL1 expression was elevated in patients with active pulmonary infection and was highly correlated with IFN levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our study uncovers MaIL1 as an integral RNA component of the TLR4–TRIF pathway and predicts further RNAs to be required for assembly and progression of cytosolic signaling networks in mammalian cells.

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