E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Fbw7 Regulates the Survival of Mature B Cells

Mcl-1 Protein and Viral Infections: A Narrative Review

MCL-1 is the prosurvival member of the Bcl-2 family. It prevents the induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms dictating the host cell viability gain importance in the context of viral infections. The premature apoptosis of infected cells could interrupt the pathogen replication cycle. On the other hand, cell death following the effective assembly of progeny particles may facilitate virus dissemination. Thus, various viruses can interfere with the apoptosis regulation network to their advantage. Research has shown that viral infections affect the intracellular amount of MCL-1 to modify the apoptotic potential of infected cells, fitting it to the "schedule" of the replication cycle. A growing body of evidence suggests that the virus-dependent deregulation of the MCL-1 level may contribute to several virus-driven diseases. In this work, we have described the role of MCL-1 in infections caused by various viruses. We have also presented a list of promising antiviral agents targeting the MCL-1 protein. The discussed results indicate targeted interventions addressing anti-apoptotic MCL1 as a new therapeutic strategy for cancers as well as other diseases. The investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in viral infections engaging MCL1 may contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of cell death and survival balance.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus: An Updated Overview of Virus Epidemiology, Virulence Variation Patterns and Virus-Host Interactions

The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a member of the coronavirus family, causing deadly watery diarrhea in newborn piglets. The global pandemic of PEDV, with significant morbidity and mortality, poses a huge threat to the swine industry. The currently developed vaccines and drugs are only effective against the classic GI strains that were prevalent before 2010, while there is no effective control against the GII variant strains that are currently a global pandemic. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in the biology of PEDV, including its transmission and origin, structure and function, evolution, and virus-host interaction, in an attempt to find the potential virulence factors influencing PEDV pathogenesis. We conclude with the mechanism by which PEDV components antagonize the immune responses of the virus, and the role of host factors in virus infection. Essentially, this review serves as a valuable reference for the development of attenuated virus vaccines and the potential of host factors as antiviral targets for the prevention and control of PEDV infection.

Recent Insight on Regulations of FBXW7 and Its Role in Immunotherapy

SCF^FBXW7 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex is a crucial enzyme of the ubiquitin proteasome system that participates in variant activities of cell process, and its component FBXW7 (F-box and WD repeat domain–containing 7) is responsible for recognizing and binding to substrates. The expression of FBXW7 is controlled by multiple pathways at different levels. FBXW7 facilitates the maturity and function maintenance of immune cells via functioning as a mediator of ubiquitination-dependent degradation of substrate proteins. FBXW7 deficiency or mutation results in the growth disturbance and dysfunction of immune cell, leads to the resistance against immunotherapy, and participates in multiple illnesses. It is likely that FBXW7 coordinating with its regulators and substrates could offer potential targets to improve the sensitivity and effects of immunotherapy. Here, we review the mechanisms of the regulation on FBXW7 and its tumor suppression role in immune filed among various diseases (mostly cancers) to explore novel immune targets and treatments.

Critical roles of the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBW7 in B-cell response and the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune arthritis

Proper regulation of B-cell function is essential for effective humoral immunity and maintenance of immune tolerance. Here, we found that FBW7 (F-box/WD40 repeat-containing protein 7) is highly expressed in germinal centre B and B1 cells, and confirmed that it has an intrinsic role in maintaining homeostasis of mature B cells and B-1 cells. FBW7 deletion led to an impairment of antibody response, and although germinal centre formation was not affected, antibody class-switch recombination and affinity maturation processes were defective. Likewise, memory immune response was severely impaired. Moreover, FBW7 ablation ameliorated the pathogenesis of an autoimmune disease model, collagen-induced arthritis, by reducing the production of anti-collagen II autoantibodies. Taken together, these data suggest that FBW7 may be an attractive target for developing new therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

FBXW7 Triggers Degradation of KMT2D to Favor Growth of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Cells

Mature B-cell neoplasms are the fifth most common neoplasm. Due to significant heterogeneity at the clinical and genetic levels, current therapies for these cancers fail to provide long-term cures. The clinical success of proteasome inhibition for the treatment of multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphomas has made the ubiquitin pathway an important emerging therapeutic target. In this study, we assessed the role of the E3 ligase FBXW7 in mature B-cell neoplasms. FBXW7 targeted the frequently inactivated tumor suppressor KMT2D for protein degradation, subsequently regulating gene expression signatures related to oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). Loss of FBXW7 inhibited diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell growth and further sensitized cells to OxPhos inhibition. These data elucidate a novel mechanism of regulation of KMT2D levels by the ubiquitin pathway and uncover a role of FBXW7 in regulating oxidative phosphorylation in B-cell malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings characterize FBXW7 as a prosurvival factor in B-cell lymphoma via degradation of the chromatin modifier KMT2D.