USP2a alters chemotherapeutic response by modulating redox. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Cancer cells are characterized by altered ubiquitination of many proteins. The ubiquitin-specific protease 2a (USP2a) is a deubiquitinating enzyme overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinomas, where it exhibits oncogenic behavior in a variety of ways including targeting c-Myc via the miR-34b/c cluster. Here we demonstrate that USP2a induces drug resistance in both immortalized and transformed prostate cells. Specifically, it confers resistance to typically pro-oxidant agents, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and doxorubicin (Doxo), and to taxanes. USP2a overexpression protects from drug-induced oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), thus impairing downstream p38 activation and triggering of apoptosis. The molecular mediator of the USP2a protective function is the glutathione (GSH). Through miR-34b/c-driven c-Myc regulation, USP2a increases intracellular GSH content, thus interfering with the oxidative cascade triggered by chemotherapeutic agents. In light of these findings, targeting Myc and/or miR-34b/c might revert chemo-resistance.

publication date

  • September 26, 2013

Research

keywords

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Endopeptidases

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3789164

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84885000571

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/cddis.2013.289

PubMed ID

  • 24071644

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 4

issue

  • 9