The ubiquitin ligase STUB1 suppresses tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinomas through regulating YTHDF1 stability

Carcinogenesis. 2024 Dec 30;45(12):903-915. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgae033.

Abstract

STIP1 homology and U-box protein 1 (STUB1), a crucial member of the RING family E3 ubiquitin ligase, serve dual roles as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in various human cancers. However, the role and mechanism of STUB1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain poorly defined. Here, we identified YTHDF1 as a novel STUB1 interaction partner using affinity purification mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we revealed that STUB1 promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of YTHDF1. Consequently, STUB1 depletion leads to YTHDF1 upregulation in renal cancer cells. Functionally, STUB1 depletion promoted migration and invasion of ccRCC cells in a YTHDF1-dependent manner. Additionally, the depletion of STUB1 also increased the tumorigenic potential of ccRCC in a xenograft model. Importantly, STUB1 expression is downregulated in ccRCC tissues, and its low expression level correlates with advanced tumor stage and poor overall survival in ccRCC patients. Taken together, these findings reveal that STUB1 inhibits the tumorigenicity of ccRCC by regulating YTHDF1 stability.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Stability
  • RNA-Binding Proteins* / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins* / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases* / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases* / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • STUB1 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • YTHDF1 protein, human