The deubiquitinase (DUB) ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is expressed primarily in the central nervous system under normal physiological conditions. However, UCHL1 is overexpressed in various aggressive forms of cancer with strong evidence supporting UCHL1 as an oncogene in lung, glioma, and blood cancers. In particular, the level of UCHL1 expression in these cancers correlates with increased invasiveness and metastatic behavior, as well as poor patient prognosis. Although UCHL1 is considered an oncogene with potential as a therapeutic target, there remains a significant lack of useful small-molecule probes to pharmacologically validate in vivo targeting of the enzyme. Herein, we describe the characterization of a new covalent cyanopyrrolidine-based UCHL1 inhibitory scaffold in biochemical and cellular studies to better understand the utility of this inhibitor in elucidating the role of UCHL1 in cancer biology.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7042063 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cbic.201900434 | DOI Listing |
Int J Mol Sci
January 2025
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Impaired renal function can influence biomarker levels through mechanisms involving blood-brain barrier integrity and clearance pathways; however, the impact of variations within normal renal function remains unclear. The main aim of this study was to determine whether adjustment for the specific level of renal function is necessary when renal function remains within physiological levels. We studied n = 183 patients (NID n = 122; other neurological diseases n = 39; somatoform controls n = 22) who underwent lumbar puncture at University Hospital Frankfurt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem Cell Res Ther
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Background: Understanding how enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) differentiate into neurons is crucial for neurogenesis therapy and gastrointestinal disease research. This study explores how magnesium ions regulate the glycolytic pathway to enhance ENCCs differentiation into neurons.
Materials And Methods: We used polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence, and multielectrode array techniques to assess magnesium ions' impact on ENCCs differentiation.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Chemical Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA.
Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is a multifunctional cysteine protease primarily responsible for deconjugating the interferon-inducible ubiquitin-like modifier ISG15 from protein substrates. Here, we report the design and synthesis of activity-based probes (ABPs) that incorporate unnatural amino acids into the C-terminal tail of ISG15, enabling the selective detection of USP18 activity over other ISG15 cross-reactive deubiquitinases (DUBs) such as USP5 and USP14. Combined with a ubiquitin-based DUB ABP, the USP18 ABP is employed in a chemoproteomics screening platform to identify and assess inhibitors of DUBs including USP18.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Transl Med
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China.
Background: Vitamin K-dependent γ-glutamic acid carboxylation (Gla) proteins are calcium-binding and membrane-associated, participating in coagulation, bone turnover, and cancer biology. The molecular function of transmembrane proline-rich Gla proteins (PRRGs) remains unexplored.
Methods: Analysis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) datasets, including transcription profiles, clinical data, and tissue microarrays, was conducted to evaluate PRRG1 expression and its clinical relevance.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
HHMI, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712.
Dynamic control of signaling events requires swift regulation of receptors at an active state. By focusing on the Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER) receptor kinase, which perceives peptide ligands to control multiple developmental processes, we report a mechanism preventing inappropriate receptor activity. The ER C-terminal tail (ER_CT) functions as an autoinhibitory domain: Its removal confers higher kinase activity and hyperactivity during inflorescence and stomatal development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!