Huan Zhang^1,#, Zhangwendi Xu^1,#, Yien Xu^1,#, Mao Li², Lingrui Liu¹, Caiyun He^1,*, Wenhuan Zhong^1,*, Jiliang Qiu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073079 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: Ring finger protein 145 (RNF145), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its role in HCC remains unknown. The study aimed to investigate the functions and underlying mechanisms of RNF145 in HCC. Methods: The role of RNF145 in HCC was investigated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and in vitro experimental assays. Its oncogenic functions were assessed using the transwell migration assay and the wound-healing assay. The molecular mechanism was explored through protein immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses. Data from public databases were analyzed to correlate RNF145 expression… More >

Xingchao Song^1,#, Qiuyu Song^2,#, Xiao Ma¹, Anzhi Xu¹, Chunyan Tian^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3583-3603, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067638 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Motif interacting with ubiquitin-containing novel DUB family-1 (MINDY1) could enhance the stability of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The study aimed to investigate whether MINDY1 regulates the immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mediated by PD-L1. Methods: MINDY1 and PD-L1 levels were detected through Western blot. The link between MINDY1 and PD-L1 was validated using the co-immunoprecipitation assay. The malignant biology of HCC cells was assessed through Cell Counting Kit-8, Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester staining, transwell, and wound healing assay. CD8⁺ T cells were isolated and then co-cultured with HCC cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay kits detected CD8⁺… More > Graphic Abstract

Nuria Malena Tebez¹, María Cecilia Terrile^1,*, María Elisa Picco¹, María José Iglesias^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1913-1928, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.067833 - 22 October 2025

Abstract In plants, the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) plays a central role in hormonal regulation, including the action of the phytohormone auxin, which orchestrates numerous aspects of growth and development. Auxin modulates redox metabolism and promotes the accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) in various tissues and physiological contexts. NO functions as a redox signaling molecule, exerting its effects in part through the reversible oxidation of cysteine residues via a post-translational modification known as S-nitrosylation. Recent findings highlight a dynamic interplay between S-nitrosylation and the ubiquitination machinery, shaping critical aspects of auxin-mediated plant responses. In this review, we More >

Lang Chen¹, Rui Dong¹, Xuan Huan^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 2833-2856, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.063644 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are key enzymes capable of cleaving ubiquitin chains and synergizing with ubiquitination modifications to regulate the function of key proteins and maintain normal physiological functions. OTUDs are a key subfamily of the ovarian tumor protease (OTU) family, with important DUB activities, and include mainly OTUD1, OTUD2, OTUD3, OTUD4, OTUD5, OTUD6A, and OTUD6B. In recent years, research on OTUD proteins has been gradually emphasized, and their aberrant expression has demonstrated significant research value in many diseases, such as cancer, immune abnormalities, neurological disorders, and embryonic developmental abnormalities. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the… More >

Fei Ren^1,#, Yansen Cai^2,#, Yang Song^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 2055-2074, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.061301 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Objectives: Epigenetic changes, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications, play a pivotal role in cancer development. This study explored the role of ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 7B (OTUD7B) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the context of m6A methylation and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) pathway. Methods: The GSE179267 dataset was used to conduct differential gene expression analysis to identify key m6A-enriched genes. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), and Sequence-based RNA Adenosine Methylation Site Predictor (SRAMP) databases were used to evaluate the expression of OTUD7B in ESCC and its correlation with methyltransferase-like 14… More >

Guo-Zhi Xu^1,2, Han-Yang Guan¹, Yan-Guan Guo¹, Yi-Ran Zhang¹, Jing-Hua Pan¹, Simin Luo³, Hui Ding¹, Yunlong Pan^1,*, Qi Yao^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 1947-1967, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.060440 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Background: Tumor angiogenesis is related to solid tumor occurrence. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 13 (USP13) is a deubiquitinating enzyme with a pivotal effect on tumor proliferation, metastasis, and tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, its effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) angiogenesis remains poorly understood. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and CRC cells were cultivated, followed by USP13 knockdown/overexpression using shRNA lentiviral vectors or plasmids. Conditioned media (CM) from treated CRC cells were collected to assess HUVEC migration, invasion, and tube formation. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) overexpression and recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rescue experiments were performed.… More >

YU QIU^1,#, RUIHAN LIU^2,#, SHANSHAN HUANG¹, QIAOTING CAI¹, YI XIE¹, ZHITING HE¹, WEIGE TAN^2,*, XINHUA XIE^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.5, pp. 1135-1147, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.062767 - 18 April 2025

Abstract Objectives: Deubiquitinase OTUB2 plays a critical role in the progression of various tumors. However, its specific role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the biological function of OTUB2 in TNBC and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Methods: First, we found that the expression of OTUB2 was upregulated in TNBC by bioinformatics analysis, we then validated its expression in TNBC tissues and cells using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qPCR and plotted the survival curves by Kaplan-Meier method. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that OTUB2 may be involved in tumor proliferation and metastasis.… More > Graphic Abstract

Mukul Mishra¹, Deeba Khan², Sehbanul Islam^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.1, pp. 127-147, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.058038 - 24 January 2025

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the newly emerged coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in unprecedented global health challenges, including millions of infections and deaths. While the direct effects of the virus are critical, the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and cellular host factors significantly impacts the replication cycle of the virus and the clinical severity of COVID-19. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of host-pathogen interactions, focusing on the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. We systematically review the literature to detail how SARS-CoV-2 engages with host cellular machinery, with a specific emphasis on their More >

SHIQIN JIANG^1,#, YICHUN TANG^2,#, FENG MA³, YUCHUN NIU^4,*, LEI SUN^5,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 213-224, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.046895 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Objective: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is commonly recognized as the most fatal lung cancer type. Despite substantial advances in immune checkpoint blockade therapies for treating solid cancers, their benefits are limited to a minority of patients with SCLC. In the present study, novel indicators for predicting the outcomes and molecular targets for SCLC treatment were elucidated. Methods: We conducted bioinformatics analysis to identify the key genes associated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in SCLC. The functional role of the key gene identified in SCLC was determined both in vitro and in vivo. Results: A significant correlation was observed between… More >

WEI ZHENG¹, CHENG LIU^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 293-301, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.044211 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Objective: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) represents a devastating disease with high rates of disability and mortality, which is initiated by dysfunction of endothelial cells (ECs). Evidence suggests the dysregulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase family during EC injury. In this work, the role of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, casitas B lymphoma-B (CBL-B), was explored in human brain microvascular EC (HBMEC) function through the NLRP3 pathway. Methods: In vitro IA model was induced by treating HBMECs with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The levels of CBL-B and pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDME-N were determined by real-time-quantitative… More >