Abstract
In this study, several cancer-related proteins (Bax, p300, E2F4 and securin) have been proven to be substrates of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 24 (USP24), and relevance has been shown between USP24 and its substrates in samples from clinical lung cancer patients. Silencing USP24 increases the cancer formation by inhibiting cellular apoptosis and increasing cellular proliferation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment, and the KrasG12D and EGFRL858R mutations decrease USP24 protein stability via EGF- or CDK1-mediated phosphorylation at Ser1616, Ser2047 and Ser2604. Knockdown of USP24 decreases Bax and p300 levels, and reduces Ku70 acetylation, thereby preventing cancer cell apoptosis. In addition, knockdown of USP24 increases cell cycle progression by enhancing the G1-S transition and metaphase-anaphase transition. The molecular mechanism involves a decrease in the USP24 level, which reduces the expression of E2F4 and its partner TFDP1, and thus increases the G1/S transition. In conclusion, the USP24 level was decreased during the early stage of cancer and the mitotic stage of the cell cycle to regulate its substrates p300, Bax, E2F4 and securin, resulting in decreased cell apoptosis and increased cell cycle progression and, thus, cancer formation.