USP39 regulates DNA damage response and chemo-radiation resistance by deubiquitinating and stabilizing CHK2

Jinhuan Wu, Yuping Chen, Guohe Geng, Lei Li, Ping Yin, Somaira Nowsheen, Yunhui Li, Chenming Wu, Jiaqi Liu, Fei Zhao, Wootae Kim, Qin Zhou, Jinzhou Huang, Guijie Guo, Chao Zhang, Xinyi Tu, Xiumei Gao, Zhenkun Lou, Kuntian Luo, Haixuan QiaoJian Yuan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The serine/threonine kinase, CHK2 (checkpoint kinase 2), is a key mediator in DNA damage response and a tumor suppressor, which is implicated in promoting cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair. Accumulating evidence suggests that these functions are primarily exerted through phosphorylation downstream factors such as p53 and BRCA1. Recent studies have shown that ubiquitination is an important mode of regulation of CHK2. However, it remains largely unclear whether deubiquitinases participate in regulation of CHK2. Here, we report that a deubiquitinase, USP39, is a new regulator of CHK2. Mechanistically, USP39 deubiquitinates and stabilizes CHK2, which in turn enhances CHK2 stability. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mediated knockdown of USP39 led to deregulate CHK2, which resulted in compromising the DNA damage-induced G2/M checkpoint, decreasing apoptosis, and conferring cancer cells resistance to chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatment. Collectively, we identify USP39 as a novel regulator of CHK2 in the DNA damage response.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)114-124
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Letters
Volume449
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2019

Keywords

  • CHK2
  • Chemo-radiation resistance
  • Deubiquitination
  • Lung cancer
  • USP39

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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