Reviving Ubiquitination Machinery Could Conquer Cancer Therapy Resistance

Reviving Ubiquitination Machinery Could Conquer Cancer Therapy Resistance

The UPS and its Potential as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer

An Overview of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for regulating protein degradation, which is important for cellular homeostasis. The UPS plays a crucial role in cancer progression, as it regulates the stability of proteins that drive cancer growth and survival. Researchers Xiaoling Li and Ping Mu from the University of Southwestern Medical Center discuss the potential of the UPS as a therapeutic target in their recent editorial.

The Role of UBE2J1 in Cancer Dynamics

Among the components of the UPS, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (UCEs) have emerged as key players in cancer dynamics. In particular, UBE2J1 has shown significant importance in prostate cancer (PCa), where therapy resistance is a significant challenge.

Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes and Cancer

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (UCEs) are enzymes responsible for attaching ubiquitin to specific target proteins. UBE2J1 is one of the 37 UCEs found in humans. Its role in PCa has been linked to therapy resistance, where its upregulation is associated with resistance to chemotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy.

Targeting UBE2J1 as a Therapeutic Approach

Targeting UBE2J1 can be a potential therapeutic approach to overcome therapy resistance in PCa. Inhibiting UBE2J1 can result in the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins, leading to apoptosis and growth inhibition of cancer cells.

Restoring the Ubiquitination Machinery to Overcome Resistance

Treatment of PCa using current standard of care can lead to therapy resistance, which constitutes one of the major clinical challenges in PCa. Restoring the ubiquitination machinery of cancer cells can potentially overcome therapy resistance by targeting UBE2J1 and other UPS components.

Therapeutic Strategies to Restore Ubiquitination Machinery

There are different therapeutic strategies to restore the ubiquitination machinery, including:

  • Inducing expression of UPS components to overcome UPS impairment in cancer cells
  • Targeting UPS components to restore cellular homeostasis and prevent cancer growth and survival
  • Combination therapy approaches that target both UBE2J1 and other UPS components to enhance the efficacy of current standard of care

Conclusion

The UPS plays a crucial role in cancer progression, and its components, particularly UBE2J1, have shown importance in therapy resistance in PCa. Targeting UBE2J1 and restoring the ubiquitination machinery can potentially overcome resistance to cancer therapy. Further research is needed to develop effective therapeutic strategies that target UPS components and enhance the efficacy of current standard of care.

Related Keywords:

UPS, ubiquitin-proteasome system, therapy resistance, UBE2J1, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, prostate cancer, cancer therapy, therapeutic target, cellular homeostasis, cancer growth, cancer survival.

Originally Post From https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-editorial-ubiquitination-machinery-resistance-cancer.html

Read more about this topic at
Innovation in cancer therapeutics and regulatory perspectives
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy – PMC

CHRISTUS Heart and Vascular Institute in Sulphur Springs Welcomes First Patient The Gilmer Mirror

Branching out in vitro angiogenesis advancements RegMedNet