UBXN2A suppresses the Rictor-mTORC2 signaling pathway, an established tumorigenic pathway in human colorectal cancer.

The mTORC2 pathway plays a critical role in promoting tumor progression in human colorectal cancer (CRC). The regulatory mechanisms for this signaling pathway are only partially understood. We previously identified UBXN2A as a novel tumor suppressor protein in CRCs and hypothesized that UBXN2A suppresses the mTORC2 pathway, thereby inhibiting CRC growth and metastasis.

Systemic inhibition of neddylation by 3-day MLN4924 treatment regime does not impair autophagic flux in mouse hearts and brains.

Beyond helping the cell survive from energy starvation via self-eating a portion of cytoplasm, macroautophagy is also capable of targeted removal of defective organelles or cytoplasmic aberrant protein aggregates, thereby playing an important role in quality control in the cell. Impaired or suppressed macroautophagy activity is associated with the progression from a large subset of heart diseases to heart failure and with the development of the vast majority of, if not all, neurodegenerative diseases, the leading causes of death and disability in humans. Hence, a better understanding of the impact of existing and upcoming pharmacotherapies on macroautophagy in the heart and brain will undoubtedly benefit the search for safer and more effective treatment to improve human health.