Epinephrine promotes breast cancer metastasis through a ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22-mediated lipolysis circuit

Sci Adv. 2024 Aug 16;10(33):eado1533. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1533. Epub 2024 Aug 16.

Abstract

Chronic stress-induced epinephrine (EPI) accelerates breast cancer progression and metastasis, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we found a strong positive correlation between circulating EPI levels and the tumoral expression of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) in patients with breast cancer. USP22 facilitated EPI-induced breast cancer progression and metastasis by enhancing adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)-mediated lipolysis. Targeted USP22 deletion decreased ATGL expression and lipolysis, subsequently inhibiting EPI-mediated breast cancer lung metastasis. USP22 acts as a bona fide deubiquitinase for the Atgl gene transcription factor FOXO1, and EPI architects a lipolysis signaling pathway to stabilize USP22 through AKT-mediated phosphorylation. Notably, USP22 phosphorylation levels are positively associated with EPI and with downstream pathways involving both FOXO1 and ATGL in breast cancers. Pharmacological USP22 inhibition synergized with β-blockers in treating preclinical xenograft breast cancer models. This study reveals a molecular pathway behind EPI's tumor-promoting effects and provides a strong rationale for combining USP22 inhibition with β-blockers to treat aggressive breast cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases
  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epinephrine* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / genetics
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lipase / genetics
  • Lipase / metabolism
  • Lipolysis* / drug effects
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase* / genetics
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
  • Epinephrine
  • Usp22 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Lipase
  • PNPLA2 protein, human
  • Acyltransferases