USP27 promotes glycolysis and hepatocellular carcinoma progression by stabilizing PFKFB3 through deubiquitination

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a dismal prognosis, primarily due to its high rates of metastasis and recurrence. Metabolic reprogramming, specifically enhanced glycolysis, is a prominent feature of cancer progression. This study identifies ubiquitin-specific peptidase 27 X-linked (USP27) as a significant regulator of glycolysis in HCC. We demonstrate that USP27 stabilizes PFKFB3, a key glycolytic enzyme, through deubiquitination, thereby increasing glycolytic activity and facilitating tumor progression. Furthermore, we reveal that CTCF, a well-known transcription factor, directly binds to the USP27 promoter and upregulates its expression, thereby establishing a connection between transcriptional regulation and metabolic reprogramming in HCC. Knockdown of USP27 or CTCF in HCC cells considerably decreased glycolysis and proliferation, while overexpression had the opposite effect. In vivo studies confirmed that USP27 knockdown suppresses HCC growth and metastasis. Our findings establish the CTCF/USP27/PFKFB3 axis as a novel mechanism driving HCC progression through glycolysis, indicating that targeting this pathway could offer new therapeutic opportunities. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC and emphasize the potential of targeting USP27-mediated metabolic pathways as a strategy for cancer treatment.