Journal Article

DKFZ-2023-01006

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png USP28 controls SREBP2 and the mevalonate pathway to drive tumour growth in squamous cancer.

Maier, C. R. (First author)DKFZ* ; Hartmann, O. ; Prieto-Garcia, C. ; Al-Shami, K. M.DKFZ* ; Schlicker, L.DKFZ* ; Vogel, F. C. E.DKFZ* ; Haid, S.DKFZ* ; Klann, K. ; Buck, V. ; Münch, C. ; Schmitz, W. ; Einig, E. ; Krenz, B. ; Calzado, M. A. ; Eilers, M. ; Popov, N. ; Rosenfeldt, M. T. ; Diefenbacher, M. E. ; Schulze, A. (Last author)DKFZ*

2023
Macmillan London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41418-023-01173-6

Abstract: SREBP2 is a master regulator of the mevalonate pathway (MVP), a biosynthetic process that drives the synthesis of dolichol, heme A, ubiquinone and cholesterol and also provides substrates for protein prenylation. Here, we identify SREBP2 as a novel substrate for USP28, a deubiquitinating enzyme that is frequently upregulated in squamous cancers. Our results show that silencing of USP28 reduces expression of MVP enzymes and lowers metabolic flux into this pathway. We also show that USP28 binds to mature SREBP2, leading to its deubiquitination and stabilisation. USP28 depletion rendered cancer cells highly sensitive to MVP inhibition by statins, which was rescued by the addition of geranyl-geranyl pyrophosphate. Analysis of human tissue microarrays revealed elevated expression of USP28, SREBP2 and MVP enzymes in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) compared to lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Moreover, CRISPR/Cas-mediated deletion of SREBP2 selectively attenuated tumour growth in a KRas/p53/LKB1 mutant mouse model of lung cancer. Finally, we demonstrate that statins synergise with a dual USP28/25 inhibitor to reduce viability of SCC cells. Our findings suggest that combinatorial targeting of MVP and USP28 could be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas.

Note: #EA:A410#LA:A410# / 2023 Jul;30(7):1710-1725

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Metabolismus und Microenvironment (A410)

Research Program(s):

1. 311 - Zellbiologie und Tumorbiologie (POF4-311) (POF4-311)

Appears in the scientific report 2023

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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