Ubiquitin-specific protease 21 promotes tumorigenicity and stemness of colorectal cancer by deubiquitinating and stabilizing ZEB1

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one very usual tumor together with higher death rate.Ubiquitin-specific protease 21(USP21)has been confirmed to take part into the regulation of CRC progression through serving as a facilitator.Interestingly,the promotive function of USP21 has also discovered in the progression of CRC.ZEB1 has illustrated to be modulated by USP7,USP22 and USP51 in cancers.However,the regulatory functions of USP21 on ZEB1 in CRC progression need more invest-igations.AIM To investigate the relationship between USP21 and ZEB1 in CRC progression.METHODS The mRNA and protein expressions were assessed through RT-qPCR,western blot and IHC assay.The interaction between USP21 and ZEB1 was evaluated through Co-IP and GST pull down assays.The cell proliferation was detected through colony formation assay.The cell migration and invasion abilities were determined through Transwell assay.The stemness was tested through sphere formation assay.The tumor growth was evaluated through in vivo mice assay.RESULTS In this work,USP21 and ZEB1 exhibited higher expression in CRC,and resulted into poor prognosis.Moreover,the interaction between USP21 and ZEB1 was further investigated.It was demonstrated that USP21 contributed to the stability of ZEB1 through modulating ubiquitination level.In addition,USP21 streng-thened cell proliferation,migration and stemness through regulating ZEB1.At last,through in vivo assays,it was illustrated that USP21/ZEB1 axis aggravated tumor growth.CONCLUSION For the first time,these above findings manifested that USP21 promoted tumorigenicity and stemness of CRC by deubiquitinating and stabilizing ZEB1.This discovery suggested that USP21/ZEB1 axis may provide novel sights for the treatment of CRC.

Novel mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 gene might cause spermatogenesis impairment and male infertility

Aim： To study the incidence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ubiquitin-specific protease 26 （USP26） gene and its involvement in idiopathic male infertility in China. Methods： Routine semen analysis was performed. Infertility factors such as immunological, infectious and biochemical disorders were examined to select patients with idiopathic infertility. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the selected patients and control population, which were examined for mutations using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Furthermore, nucleotide sequences were sequenced in some patients and controls. Results： Of 41 infertile men, 9 （22.0%, P = 0.01） had changes in USP26 gene on the X chromosome. A compound mutation （364insACA; 460G→A） was detected in 8 patients （19.5%, P = 0.01） and a 1044T→A substitution was found in 1 patient （2.4%, P 〉 0.05）. All three variations led to changes in the coding amino acids. Two substitutions predict some changes： 460G→ A changes a valine into an isoleucine, and 1044T → A substitutes a leucine for a phenylalanine. Another insertion of three nucleotides ACA causes an insertion of threonine. No other changes were found in the remaining patients and fertile controls. Conclusion： The USP26 gene might be of importance in male reproduction. Mutations in this gene might be associated with male infertility, and might negatively affect testicular function. Further research on this issue is in progress.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 enhances intestinal cell proliferation and tissue regeneration after intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND Intestinal ischemia reperfusion(I/R) injury is a serious but common pathophysiological process of many diseases, resulting in a high mortality rate in clinical practice. Ubiquitin-specific protease 22(USP22) acts as regulator of cell cycle progression, proliferation, and tumor invasion. Depleted USP22 expression has been reported to contribute to arrested cell cycle and disrupted generation of differentiated cell types in crypts and villi. However, the role of USP22 in intestinal damage recovery has not been investigated. Therefore, elucidation of the underlying mechanism of USP22 in intestinal I/R injury may help to improve the tissue repair and patient prognosis in clinical practice.AIM To investigate the role of USP22 in intestinal cell proliferation and regeneration after intestinal I/R injury.METHODS An animal model of intestinal I/R injury was generated in male Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery followed by reperfusion.Chiu's scoring system was used to grade the damage to the intestinal mucosa. An in vitro model was developed by incubating rat intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells in hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions in order to simulate I/R in vivo. siRNA and overexpression plasmid were used to regulate the expression of USP22. USP22,Cyclin D1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) expression levels were measured by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. Cell survival(viability) and cell cycle were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8and flow cytometry, respectively.RESULTS USP22 expression was positively correlated with the expression levels of PCNA and Cyclin D1 both in vivo and in vitro, which confirmed that USP22 was involved in cell proliferation and intestinal regeneration after intestinal I/R injury. Decreased levels of Cyclin D1 and cell cycle arrest were observed in the USP22 knockdown group(P < 0.05), while opposite results were observed in the USP22 overexpression group(P < 0.05). In addition, increased expression of USP22 was related to improved intestinal pathology or IEC-6 cell viability after I/R or hypoxia/reoxygenation. These results suggested that USP22 may exert a protective effect on intestinal I/R injury by regulating cell proliferation and facilitating tissue regeneration.CONCLUSION USP22 is correlated with promoting intestinal cell proliferation and accelerating intestinal tissue regeneration after intestinal I/R injury and may serve as a potential target for therapeutic development for tissue repair during intestinal I/R injury.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 15 contributes to gastric cancer progression by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Ubiquitin-specific protease 15(USP15)is an important member of the ubiquitinspecific protease family,the largest deubiquitinase subfamily,whose expression is dysregulated in many types of cancer.However,the biological function and the underlying mechanisms of USP15 in gastric cancer(GC)progression have not been elucidated.AIM To explore the biological role and underlying mechanisms of USP15 in GC progression.METHODS Bioinformatics databases and western blot analysis were utilized to determine the expression of USP15 in GC.Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the correlation between USP15 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC.A loss-and gain-of-function experiment was used to investigate the biological effects of USP15 on GC carcinogenesis.RNA sequencing,immunofluorescence,and western blotting were performed to explore the potential mechanism by which USP15 exerts its oncogenic functions.RESULTS USP15 was up-regulated in GC tissue and cell lines.The expression level of USP15 was positively correlated with clinical characteristics(tumor size,depth of invasion,lymph node involvement,tumor-node-metastasis stage,perineural invasion,and vascular invasion),and was related to poor prognosis.USP15 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation,invasion and epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT)of GC in vitro,while overexpression of USP15 promoted these processes.Knockdown of USP15 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.Mechanistically,RNA sequencing analysis showed that USP15 regulated the Wnt signaling pathway in GC.Western blotting confirmed that USP15 silencing led to significant down-regulation ofβ-catenin and Wnt/β-catenin downstream genes(c-myc and cyclin D1),while overexpression of USP15 yielded an opposite result and USP15 mutation had no change.Immunofluorescence indicated that USP15 promoted nuclear translocation ofβ-catenin,suggesting activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,which may be the critical mechanism promoting GC progression.Finally,rescue experiments showed that the effect of USP15 on gastric cancer progression was dependent on Wnt/β-catenin pathway.CONCLUSION USP15 promotes cell proliferation,invasion and EMT progression of GC via regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,which suggests that USP15 is a novel potential therapeutic target for GC.

Emerging potential of ubiquitin-specific proteases and ubiquitinspecific proteases inhibitors in breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women,accounting for 30%of new diagnosing female cancers.Emerging evidence suggests that ubiquitin and ubiquitination played a role in a number of breast cancer etiology and progression processes.As the primary deubiquitinases in the family,ubiquitin-specific peptidases(USPs)are thought to represent potential therapeutic targets.The role of ubiquitin and ubiquitination in breast cancer,as well as the classification and involvement of USPs are discussed in this review,such as USP1,USP4,USP7,USP9X,USP14,USP18,USP20,USP22,USP25,USP37,and USP39.The reported USPs inhibitors investigated in breast cancer were also summarized,along with the signaling pathways involved in the investigation and its study phase.Despite no USP inhibitor has yet been approved for clinical use,the biological efficacy indicated their potential in breast cancer treatment.With the improvements in phenotypic discovery,we will know more about USPs and USPs inhibitors,developing more potent and selective clinical candidates for breast cancer.

Inhibition of Ubiquitin-specific Protease 4 Attenuates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells via Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor Type Ⅰ

Objective Ubiquitin-specific protease 4(USP4)facilitates the development of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in various cancer cells.Moreover,EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells(RTECs)is required for the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis.However,the role of USP4 in EMT of RTECs remains unknown.The present study aimed to explore the effect of USP4 on the EMT of RTECs as well as the involved mechanism.Methods In established unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)rats and NRK-52E cells,immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were performed.Results USP4 expression was increased significantly with obstruction time.In NRK-52E cells stimulated by TGF-β1,USP4 expression was increased in a time-dependent manner.In addition,USP4 silencing with specific siRNA indicated that USP4 protein was suppressed effectively.Meanwhile,USP4 siRNA treatment restored E-cadherin and weakened alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)expression,indicating that USP4 may promote EMT.After treatment with USP4 siRNA and TGF-β1 for 24 h,the expression of TGF-β1 receptor type I(TβRI)was decreased.Conclusion USP4 promotes the EMT of RTECs through upregulating TβRI,thereby facilitating renal interstitial fibrosis.These findings may provide a potential target of USP4 in the treatment of renal fibrosis.

脓毒症合并急性肾损伤患者外周血USF2、USP10表达水平及临床意义

目的 探讨脓毒症合并急性肾损伤(AKI)患者外周血上游转录因子2(USF2)、泛素特异性蛋白酶10(USP10)的表达水平及临床意义。方法 选择2018年1月至2022年12月该院收治的259例脓毒症患者,根据是否合并AKI将患者分为AKI组(107例)和非AKI(NAKI)组(152例)。收集临床一般资料,检测外周血中USF2、USP10的表达水平。Pearson分析USF2、USP10与肾功能的相关性。二元Logistic回归分析影响脓毒症患者合并AKI的因素。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析USF2、USP10诊断脓毒症患者合并AKI的价值。结果 AKI组血清USF2表达水平高于NAKI组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),USP10表达水平低于NAKI组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。AKI组USF2表达与尿素氮(BUN)、血清肌酐(Scr)、胱抑素C(CysC)呈正相关(P<0.05),USP10表达与BUN、Scr、CysC呈负相关(P<0.05)。高序贯器官衰竭(SOFA)评分、脓毒症休克、高表达USF2是脓毒症患者发生AKI的危险因素(P<0.05),高表达USP10是保护因素(P<0.05)。USF2、USP10诊断脓毒症患者发生AKI的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.742(95%CI:0.676~0.808)、0.781(95%CI:0.724~0.839),联合USF2和USP10诊断脓毒症患者发生AKI的AUC为0.907(95%CI:0.865~0.948),高于单独诊断(P<0.05)。结论 脓毒症患者外周血中USF2表达增加,USP10表达下降与合并AKI风险增加以及肾功能下降有关。

Ubiquitin-specific protease 24 promotes EV71 infection by restricting K63-linked polyubiquitination of TBK1

TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1)is an essential protein kinase for activation of interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3)and induction of the type I interferons(IFN-I).Although the biochemical regulation of TBK1 activation has been studied,little is known about how enterovirus 71(EV71)employs the deubiquitinases(DUBs)to regulate TBK1 activation for viral immune evasion.Here,we found that EV71 infection upregulated the expression of ubiquitinspecific protease 24(USP24).Further studies revealed that USP24 physically interacted with TBK1,and can reduce K63-linked polyubiquitination of TBK1.Knockdown of USP24 upregulated TBK1 K63-linked polyubiquitination,promoted the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3,and in turn improved IFN-I production during EV71 infection.As a consequence,USP24 knockdown dramatically inhibited EV71 infection.This study revealed USP24 as a novel regulator of TBK1 activation,which promotes the understanding of immune evasion mechanisms of EV71 and could provide a potential strategy for treatment of EV71 infection.

酸性蛋白酶AP-10分离纯化及其酶学性质

采用活性炭吸附脱色、硫酸铵分级沉淀、脱盐和凝胶层析等技术对酸性蛋白酶AP-10浓缩液进行了分离纯化,并对其酶学性质进行了研究。结果表明,分离纯化后得到的酸性蛋白酶AP-10纯组分比酶活为5800 U·mg^(-1),纯化倍数为6倍;最适反应温度为40℃,热稳定范围为30~45℃;最适反应pH值为3.0,pH值稳定范围为3.5~6.5;Mn^(2+)对酸性蛋白酶AP-10具有强烈的激活作用,Fe 2+对酸性蛋白酶AP-10具有强烈的抑制作用。为拓展酸性蛋白酶AP-10的应用及开发高品质产品奠定了基础。

运动训练对脑出血大鼠脑组织中IL-10和caspase-3表达的影响

目的:研究运动训练与脑出血大鼠脑组织中白细胞介素-10(IL-10)和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)的相互关系,探讨运动训练促进脑出血(ICH)后神经功能恢复的机制。方法:采用自体血注入法将80只SD大鼠制作成右侧纹状体脑出血模型,造模成功后按照随机化的原则将其分为对照组和运动训练组(运动组),每组又分为第1、3、7、14、21天5个时间点。运动组行网屏训练、平衡木训练、滚笼训练,对照组不作任何干预。分别于不同时间点对大鼠进行神经功能评分。然后将其处死,取右侧脑组织用免疫组化和原位杂交的方法检测IL-10和caspase3的蛋白及mRNA表达。结果:在脑出血后第14天和第21天运动组大鼠的神经功能评分优于对照组,运动组大鼠的IL-10表达高于对照组;在脑出血后第7天运动组大鼠的caspase3表达低于对照组。结论:运动训练可使脑出血大鼠脑组织内IL-10含量增高,而使caspase-3的含量降低,这可能是运动训练促进神经功能的恢复机制之一。

泛素特异性蛋白酶10在低氧性肺动脉高压中的表达及对USP10-AMPK信号通路的调控作用

目的研究泛素特异性蛋白酶10(UPS10)在低氧性肺动脉高压(PAH)中表达的意义及对USP10-单磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶(AMPK)信号通路的调控作用。方法40只大鼠随机分为4组,空载组与沉默组分别经气管滴入USP10-lentivirus、NC-lentivirus,对照组与模型组滴入等量生理盐水。3 d后除对照组外均建立低氧PAH模型。以PowerLab压力记录分析系统检测各组平均肺动脉压(MPAP)、右心室收缩压(RVSP),计算肺血管管壁相对厚度指数(RTI)、右心肥大指数(RVHI),对比各组MPAP、RVSP、RTI、RVHI。实时荧光定量PCR技术检测USP10、AMPK、磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)、蛋白激酶B(Akt)、内皮细胞型一氧化氮合成酶(eNOS)mRNA,比较各组USP10、AMPK、PI3K、Akt、eNOS mRNA相对表达量。蛋白质印迹法(Weston blot)检测USP10、AMPK、PI3K、Akt、eNOS蛋白及AMPK、PI3K、Akt、eNOS蛋白磷酸化表达情况,对比USP10蛋白相对表达量及p-AMPK/AMPK、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt、p-eNOS/eNOS蛋白比值。结果沉默组、模型组与空载组大鼠均出现精神状态变差,活动量减少,毛发暗淡,口唇、眼眶发紫,沉默组更为严重。肺动脉血管组织HE染色观察,沉默组、模型组与空载组管壁增厚、管腔变窄,伴有平滑肌和弹力纤维层增厚,沉默组变化更为明显。与对照组比较,其余3组的MPAP、RVSP、RTI、RVHI均增加(P<0.05),沉默组均大于模型组与空载组(P<0.05);与对照组比较,其余3组的USP10 mRNA、蛋白相对表达量及p-AMPK/AMPK、p-PI3K/PI3K、p-Akt/Akt、p-eNOS/eNOS蛋白比值均下降(P<0.05),沉默组均低于模型组与空载组(P<0.05)。结论USP10在低氧性PAH大鼠肺组织中表达低于正常肺组织,且其在肺组织中的表达下调刺激了PAH的发展,推测可能与抑制AMPK/PI3K/Akt/eNOS信号通路有关。

胃癌病灶内PCDH10对癌细胞浸润性生长及上皮间质转化的影响

目的:研究胃癌病灶内编码原钙黏蛋白10(PCDH10)对癌细胞浸润性生长及上皮间质转化的影响。方法:选择在攀枝花市中心医院接受手术切除的胃癌患者作为研究对象,手术切除后留取胃癌病灶及癌旁病灶,测定PCDH10基因及上皮间质转化基因的mRNA表达量、蛋白酶及其抑制分子的蛋白含量。结果:胃癌病灶内PCDH10、TIMP1、TIMP2、RASAL2、E-cadherin的mRNA表达量显著低于癌旁病灶,Vav2、Vav3、CatB、MMP9、ZEB1、Twist1、Vimentin的含量显著高于癌旁病灶;PCDH10低表达的胃癌病灶内Vav2、Vav3、CatB、MMP9、ZEB1、Twist1、Vimentin的含量显著高于PCDH10高表达的胃癌病灶,TIMP1、TIMP2、RASAL2、E-cadherin的含量显著低于PCDH10高表达的胃癌病灶。结论:胃癌病灶内PCDH10低表达对癌细胞浸润性生长及上皮间质转化具有促进作用。

氟伐他汀对冠心病患者血清Cystain C、IL-10及MMP-9的表达及临床意义

目的探讨氟伐他汀对冠心病患者血清半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cystain C)、白介素-10(interleukin-10,IL-10)及基质金属蛋白酶-9(matrix metalloproteinase,MMP-9)表达的影响及临床意义。方法将90例冠心病患者,采取随机数字表分为小剂量组与大剂量组,每组各45例,两组均给予常规治疗,小剂量组加用40mg的氟伐他汀,大剂量组加用80mg的氟伐他汀,每日1次,比较两组患者治疗前后心功能、血清Cystain C、IL-10及MMP-9的表达水平。结果两组患者治疗6个月后与治疗前比较左心室每搏量(SV)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、E峰与A峰比值(E/A)均升高,左心室舒张末期内径(LVDd)降低,大剂量组与小剂量组比较上述指标改善更加显著,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组治疗6个月后与治疗前比较Cystain、IL-10及MMP-9的表达水平降低,大剂量组与小剂量组比较上述指标改善更加显著,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组在治疗期间无1例患者发生恶心呕吐、头晕目眩、肝肾功能损伤等不良反应。结论大剂量氟伐他汀应用于冠心病治疗可有效改善患者血清Cystain C、IL-10及MMP-9的表达水平。

USP10在弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤中的表达及生物信息学分析

目的探讨泛素特异性蛋白酶10(ubiquitin-specifi c protease 10,USP10)蛋白及其m RNA在人弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,DLBCL)与淋巴结反应性增生(reactive lymph node hyperplasia,RLH)中的表达及其临床意义。方法选取70例人DLBCL及70例RLH组织,采用组织芯片和免疫组织化学染色检测USP10的蛋白表达,分析其与DLBCL分子亚型及DLBCL预后相关分子之间的关系,并采用GEO数据库分析USP10 m RNA表达水平。结果 USP10在DLBCL组织中的阳性表达率显著高于RLH组织的B淋巴细胞,在非生发中心亚型(non-germinal center B-cell-like type,nonGCB)DLBCL组织中的阳性表达率明显高于生发中心亚型(germinal center B-cell-like type,GCB)DLBCL组织;Spearman等级相关分析显示,USP10与DLBCL预后相关分子中的CD5、Bcl-2蛋白表达呈正相关,而与p53,c-Myc及Ki67蛋白表达无相关性;USP10 m RNA在DLBCL组织及RLH组织中的表达差异。结论 USP10在DLBCL组织中的表达明显增加,尤其是在预后较差的non-GCB亚型或CD5阳性或无Bcl-2阳性的DLBCL中,表明该蛋白是DLBCL患者预后不良的分子标记物之一。

USP10的分子功能及在肿瘤中的研究进展

泛素特异性蛋白酶10(ubiquitin-specific protease 10,USP10)是去泛素化酶(deubiquitinating enzymes,DUBs)家族中的一个重要成员。近年来的研究发现USP10参与了细胞中多种生命活动的调节,如细胞增殖、细胞凋亡、DNA损伤修复、炎症应答等。同时,USP10在多种肿瘤的发生发展过程中表现出其重要作用。现就USP10的分子功能及其在肿瘤中的研究进展进行综述,以期发现与USP10相关的某些关键的分子机制,为肿瘤诊断与治疗提供参考。

Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 14 （UBP14） Is Involved in Root Responses to Phosphate Deficiency in Arabidopsis

A mutant isolated from a screen of EMS-mutagenized Arabidopsis lines, per1, showed normal root hair development under control conditions but displayed an inhibited root hair elongation phenotype upon Pi deficiency. Additionally, the per1 mutant exhibited a pleiotropic phenotype under control conditions, resembling Pi-deficient plants in several aspects. Inhibition of root hair elongation upon growth on low Pi media was reverted by treatment with the Pi analog phosphite, suggesting that the mutant phenotype is not caused by a lack of Pi. Reciprocal grafting experiments revealed that the mutant rootstock is sufficient to cause the phenotype. Complementation analyses showed that the PER1 gene encodes an ubiquitin-specific protease, UBP14. The mutation caused a synonymous substitution in the 12th exon of this gene, resulting in a lower abundance of the UBP14 protein, probably as a consequence of reduced translation efficiency. Transcriptional profiling of per1 and wild-type plants subjected to short-term Pi starvation revealed genes that may be important for the signaling of Pi deficiency. We conclude that UBP14 function is crucial for adapting root development to the prevailing local availability of phosphate.

Ubiquitin-specific protease 47 regulates intestinal inflammation through deubiquitination of TRAF6 in epithelial cells

Deubiquitinates(DUBs) alter the stabilities, localizations or activities of substrates by removing their ubiquitin conjugates,which are closely related to the development of inflammatory response. Here, we show that ubiquitin-specific protease 47(USP47) prevents inflammation development in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Compared with wild-type mice, Usp47 knockout mice are more susceptible to dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis with higher inflammatory cytokines expression and severe intestinal tissue damage. Chimeric mouse experiments suggest that non-hematopoietic cells mainly contribute to the phenotype. And, DSS-induced colitis of the Usp47 knockout mice depends on commensal bacteria.Mechanistically, down-regulation of USP47 aggravates the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway by increasing the K63-linked poly-ubiquitination of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6) in intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, the expression of USP47, negatively correlated with the degree of inflammation, is lower at colonic inflammatory lesions than that non-inflammatory sites from the intestine from ulcerative colitis(UC) and Crohn's disease(CD) patients. These data, taken together, indicate that USP47 regulates intestinal inflammation through de-ubiquitination of K63-linked poly-ubiquitination TRAF6 in intestinal epithelial cells.

The association between mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 26(USP26)and male infertility:a systematic review and meta-analysis

During recent decades,the association between mutations in ubiquitin-specific protease 26(USP26)and male infertility remains doubtful.We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between mutations in USP26 and male infertility according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)2020 guidelines.It was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(PROSPERO;CRD42021225251).PubMed,Web of Science,and Scopus were systematically searched for comparative clinical studies,which were written in English and provided eligible data.Studies were included when they compared USP26 mutations in azoospermic,oligozoospermic,and asthenozoospermic patients with controls with normal sperm parameter values or whose partners had experienced spontaneous pregnancy.Pooled odds ratio(OR)with 95%confidence interval(CI)was calculated with random effect models.Overall,twelve studies with 3927 infertility patients and 4648 healthy controls were included.The association between overall USP26 mutations and infertility was not significant(OR=1.60,95%CI:0.51-5.01).For specific mutations,the pooled ORs were 1.65(95%CI:1.02-2.69)for cluster mutation(including 370-371insACA,494T>C,and 1423C>T),1.80(95%CI:0.35-9.15)for c.576G>A,1.43(95%CI:0.79-2.56)for c.1090C>T,and 3.59(95%CI:2.30-5.59)for c.1737G>A.Our results suggest that several mutations(cluster mutation,c.1737G>A)may play roles in male infertility,while others(c.576G>A and c.1090C>T)do not show notable associations with male infertility.More high-quality clinical researches are needed for validation.

Deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) inhibits HIV-1 replication via promoting APOBEC3G (A3G) expression in both enzyme activity-dependent and -independent manners

Background: Ubiquitination plays an essential role in many biological processes, including viral infection, and can be reversed by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Although some studies discovered that DUBs inhibit or enhance viral infection by various mechanisms, there is lack of information on the role of DUBs in virus regulation, which needs to be further investigated.Methods: Immunoblotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction,in vivo/in vitro deubiquitination, protein immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and co-localization biological techniques were employed to examine the effect of ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) on APOBEC3G (A3G) stability and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. To analyse the relationship between USP3 and HIV disease progression, we recruited 20 HIV-infected patients to detect the levels of USP3 and A3G in peripheral blood and analysed their correlation with CD4^(+) T-cell counts. Correlation was estimated by Pearson correlation coefficients (for parametric data).Results: The results demonstrated that USP3 specifically inhibits HIV-1 replication in an A3G-dependent manner. Further investigation found that USP3 stabilized 90% to 95% of A3G expression by deubiquitinating Vif-mediated polyubiquitination and blocking its degradation in an enzyme-dependent manner. It also enhances the A3G messenger RNA (mRNA) level by binding to A3G mRNA and stabilizing it in an enzyme-independent manner. Moreover, USP3 expression was positively correlated with A3G expression (r= 0.5110) and CD4^(+) T-cell counts (r= 0.5083) in HIV-1-infected patients.Conclusions: USP3 restricts HIV-1 viral infections by increasing the expression of the antiviral factor A3G. Therefore, USP3 may be an important target for drug development and serve as a novel therapeutic strategy against viral infections.

miR-103靶向USP10对胰腺癌细胞YAP/TAZ表达及化疗耐药性的影响

目的探讨微小RNA-103(miR-103)靶向泛素特异性蛋白酶10(USP10)对胰腺癌细胞Yes相关蛋白(YAP)和包含WW结构域的转录调节蛋白1(TAZ)(YAP/TAZ)表达及顺铂(DDP)耐药性的影响。方法体外培养人胰腺癌细胞株PANC-1、人正常胰腺上皮细胞株hTERT-HPNE和耐DDP细胞PANC-1/DDP。将PANC-1/DDP细胞随机分为对照组、干扰RNA组(si-miR-103)和阴性对照(si-NC)组。用CCK-8法检测转染后细胞DDP半数抑制浓度(IC_(50));实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测各组细胞miR-103、USP10、MDR1基因表达情况;CCK-8法检测转染后各组PANC-1/DDP细胞存活率变化情况;流式细胞术检测转染后各组PANC-1/DDP细胞凋亡情况;蛋白印迹分析法检测各组细胞YAP、TAZ蛋白表达变化;双荧光素酶报告实验验证miR-103与USP10的靶向关系。结果与hTERT-HPNE细胞比较,PANC-1与耐药细胞PANC-1/DDP中miR-103表达水平显著升高,USP10表达显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与PANC-1比较,耐药细胞PANC-1/DDP中miR-103表达水平显著升高,USP10表达显著降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);经MiRcode数据库预测显示,miR-103与USP103'UTR区有结合位点。与USP10-3'UTR-WT+si-NC组比较,USP10-3'UTR-WT+si-miR-103组荧光素酶活性降低(P<0.05);与对照组和si-NC组比较,si-miR-103组PANC-1/DDP细胞IC_(50)值、miR-103、MDR1表达水平、细胞增殖活性、YAP、TAZ蛋白表达下降显著降低(P<0.05),USP10 mRNA及蛋白表达、细胞凋亡率显著升高(P<0.05)。结论miR-103/USP10、YAP/TAZ与胰腺癌细胞DDP耐药存在调控关系,干扰miR-103表达可上调USP10并抑制YAP/TAZ表达,逆转胰腺癌耐药细胞对DDP耐药性。