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Foster BM, Wang Z, Schmidt CK. DoUBLing up: ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteases in genome stability. Biochem J 2024; 481:515-545. [PMID: 38572758 PMCID: PMC11088880 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Maintaining stability of the genome requires dedicated DNA repair and signalling processes that are essential for the faithful duplication and propagation of chromosomes. These DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms counteract the potentially mutagenic impact of daily genotoxic stresses from both exogenous and endogenous sources. Inherent to these DNA repair pathways is the activity of protein factors that instigate repair processes in response to DNA lesions. The regulation, coordination, and orchestration of these DDR factors is carried out, in a large part, by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and modification with ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs). The importance of ubiquitylation and UBLylation with SUMO in DNA repair is well established, with the modified targets and downstream signalling consequences relatively well characterised. However, the role of dedicated erasers for ubiquitin and UBLs, known as deubiquitylases (DUBs) and ubiquitin-like proteases (ULPs) respectively, in genome stability is less well established, particularly for emerging UBLs such as ISG15 and UFM1. In this review, we provide an overview of the known regulatory roles and mechanisms of DUBs and ULPs involved in genome stability pathways. Expanding our understanding of the molecular agents and mechanisms underlying the removal of ubiquitin and UBL modifications will be fundamental for progressing our knowledge of the DDR and likely provide new therapeutic avenues for relevant human diseases, such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Foster
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| | - Zijuan Wang
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
| | - Christine K. Schmidt
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, U.K
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Guo Y, Cheng R, Wang Y, Gonzalez ME, Zhang H, Liu Y, Kleer CG, Xue L. Regulation of EZH2 protein stability: new mechanisms, roles in tumorigenesis, and roads to the clinic. EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104972. [PMID: 38244292 PMCID: PMC10835131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The importance of EZH2 as a key methyltransferase has been well documented theoretically. Practically, the first EZH2 inhibitor Tazemetostat (EPZ6438), was approved by FDA in 2020 and is used in clinic. However, for most solid tumors it is not as effective as desired and the scope of clinical indications is limited, suggesting that targeting its enzymatic activity may not be sufficient. Recent technologies focusing on the degradation of EZH2 protein have drawn attention due to their potential robust effects. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms that regulate EZH2 protein stability via post-translational modifications (PTMs), mainly including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and acetylation. In addition, we discuss recent advancements of multiple proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) strategies and the latest degraders that can downregulate EZH2 protein. We aim to highlight future directions to expand the application of novel EZH2 inhibitors by targeting both EZH2 enzymatic activity and protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Guo
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Maria E Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hongshan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Celina G Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Cancer Center of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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