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Fbxo45 promotes the malignant development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting GGNBP2 for ubiquitination and degradation

Oncogene volume 41, pages 4795–4807 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers. Fbxo45, a substrate recognition subunit of E3 ligase, is critically involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, the function of Fbxo45 and the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated in ESCC. We used cellular and molecular methods to explore the molecular basis of Fbxo45-mediated ESCC development. We found that ectopic overexpression of Fbxo45 promoted the growth of Kyse-150, Kyse30 and ECA-109 cells and inhibited the apoptosis. Moreover, overexpression of Fbxo45 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Consistently, knockdown of Fbxo45 exhibited the opposite effects on ESCC cells. Mechanistically, we observed that Fbxo45 binds to GGNBP2 via its SPRY domain and targets GGNBP2 for ubiquitination and degradation. GGNBP2 overexpression exhibited anticancer activity in ESCC cells. Furthermore, Fbxo45 exerted its functions by regulating GGNBP2 stability in ESCC cells. Notably, overexpression of Fbxo45 facilitated tumor growth in mice. Strikingly, Fbxo45 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues, and GGNBP2 had a lower expression in ESCC specimens. High expression of Fbxo45 and low expression of GGNBP2 were associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Fbxo45 was negatively correlated with GGNBP2 expression in ESCC tissues. Therefore, Fbxo45 serves as an oncoprotein to promote ESCC tumorigenesis by targeting the stability of the tumor suppressor GGNBP2 in ESCC.

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Fig. 1: Fbxo45 promotes the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of ESCC cells.
Fig. 2: Fbxo45 enhances ESCC cell migration and invasion.
Fig. 3: Fbxo45 regulates GGNBP2 stability via ubiquitinated degradation.
Fig. 4: GGNBP2 inhibits proliferation and increases of apoptosis.
Fig. 5: GGNBP2 reduces the migration and invasion of ESCC cells.
Fig. 6: Fbxo45 exerts oncogenic functions via regulation of GGNBP2 expression.
Fig. 7: Fbxo45 promotes ESCC tumorigenesis.

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Data availability

The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20514261.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Qi Wang, Linhui Wu.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China

    Qi Wang, Jing Gao, Damin Chai, Yanzi Qin, Li Ma, Shiwu Wu & Yisheng Tao

  2. Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China

    Qi Wang, Jing Gao, Damin Chai, Yanzi Qin, Li Ma, Shiwu Wu & Yisheng Tao

  3. Key Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui, China

    Linhui Wu, Ruoxue Cao, Jia Ma & Zhi-wei Wang

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, Zhejiang, China

    Zhi-wei Wang

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Contributions

QW, LW conceived the work, performed the experiments, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. RC, JG, YQ performed the experiments and analyzed the data. LM, DC, SW analyzed the data. JM, YT, edited the manuscript and viewed the study. ZW wrote the manuscript, and critically viewed and supervised the study.

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Correspondence to Yisheng Tao, Jia Ma or Zhi-wei Wang.

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Wang, Q., Wu, L., Cao, R. et al. Fbxo45 promotes the malignant development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting GGNBP2 for ubiquitination and degradation. Oncogene 41, 4795–4807 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-022-02468-7

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