Oscillation of Cdc20-APC/C-mediated CAMDI stability is critical for cortical neuron migration

CDC20-Mediated Selective Autophagy Degradation of PBRM1 Affects Immunotherapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Polybromo 1 (PBRM1) inactivating mutations are associated with clinical benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, whether targeting PBRM1 has the potential to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in patients with wild-type PBRM1 and the upstream pathways that regulate PBRM1 protein stability remain unclear. Here, it is demonstrated that PBRM1 knockdown induced M1 macrophage polarization and infiltration, which enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in RCC. Meanwhile, CDC20 catalyzes K27 ubiquitination of PBRM1 and promotes its degradation via p62-mediated selective autophagy. A bicyclic peptide (PB1-p62) is designed and constructed to target PBRM1 and p62, thereby promoting the degradation of PBRM1. As a result, the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is enhanced, leading to improved overall survival rates in syngeneic mouse tumor models. Overall, this finding suggest the clinical application of PB1-p62 and provide a novel approach for enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in RCC patients with wild-type PBRM1.

Role of immature choroid plexus in the pathology of model mice and human iPSC-derived organoids with autism spectrum disorder

During gestation, the choroid plexus (ChP) produces protein-rich cerebrospinal fluid and matures prior to brain development. It is assumed that ChP dysfunction has a profound effect on developmental neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the mechanisms linking immature ChP to the onset of ASD remain unclear. Here, we find that ChP-specific CAMDI-knockout mice develop an immature ChP alongside decreased multiciliogenesis and expression of differentiation marker genes following disruption of the cerebrospinal fluid barrier. These mice exhibit ASD-like behaviors, including anxiety and impaired socialization. Additionally, the administration of metformin, an FDA-approved drug, before the social critical period achieves ChP maturation and restores social behaviors. Furthermore, both the ASD model mice and organoids derived from patients with ASD developed an immature ChP. These results propose the involvement of an immature ChP in the pathogenesis of ASD and suggest the targeting of functional maturation of the ChP as a therapeutic strategy for ASD.

CDC20: a novel therapeutic target in cancer

Cell division cycle protein 20 (Cdc20) is a member of the cell cyclin family. In the early stage of mitosis, it activates the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and forms the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex APC^Cdc20, which destroys key regulators of the cell cycle and promotes mitosis. Cdc20 serves as a target for the spindle checkpoint, ensuring proper chromosome segregation. As an oncoprotein, Cdc20 is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors, and Cdc20 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of these tumors. This review aims to dissect the tumorigenic role of Cdc20 in human malignancies and its targeting strategies.

CDC20-Mediated hnRNPU Ubiquitination Regulates Chromatin Condensation and Anti-Cancer Drug Response

Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) functions as a critical cell cycle regulator. It plays an important role in cancer development and drug resistance. However, the molecular mechanisms by which CDC20 regulates cellular drug response remain poorly understood. Chromatin-associated CDC20 interactome in breast cancer cells was analyzed by using affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry. hnRNPU as a CDC20 binding partner was validated by co-immunoprecipitation and immunostaining. The molecular domain, comprising amino acid residues 461-653, on hnRNPU required for its interaction with CDC20 was identified by mapping of interactions. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that CDC20-mediated hnRNPU ubiquitination promotes its interaction with the CTCF and cohesin complex. The effects of CDC20-hnRNPU on nuclear size and chromatin condensation were investigated by analyzing DAPI and H2B-mCherry staining, respectively. The role of CDC20-hnRNPU in tumor progression and drug resistance was examined by CCK-8 cell survival and clonogenic assays. Our study indicates that CDC20-mediated ubiquitination of hnRNPU modulates chromatin condensation by regulating the interaction between hnRNPU and the CTCF-cohesin complex. Dysregulation of the CDC20-hnRNPU axis contributes to tumor progression and drug resistance.

CDC20 in and out of mitosis: a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in hematological malignancies

Cell division cycle 20 homologue (CDC20) is a well-known regulator of cell cycle, as it controls the correct segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. Many studies have focused on the biological role of CDC20 in cancer development, as alterations of its functionality have been linked to genomic instability and evidence demonstrated that high CDC20 expression levels are associated with poor overall survival in solid cancers. More recently, novel CDC20 functions have been demonstrated or suggested, including the regulation of apoptosis and stemness properties and a correlation with immune cell infiltration. Here, we here summarize and discuss the role of CDC20 inside and outside mitosis, starting from its network of interacting proteins. In the last years, CDC20 has also attracted more interest in the blood cancer field, being overexpressed and showing an association with prognosis both in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. Preclinical findings showed that selective CDC20 and APC/CCDC20/APC/CCDH1 inhibitors, namely Apcin and proTAME, are effective against lymphoma and multiple myeloma cells, resulting in mitotic arrest and apoptosis and synergizing with clinically-relevant drugs. The evidence and hypothesis presented in this review provide the input for further biological and chemical studies aiming to dissect novel potential CDC20 roles and targeting strategies in hematological malignancies.