Published online Mar 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i3.1006
Peer-review started: October 26, 2023
First decision: December 31, 2023
Revised: January 4, 2024
Accepted: January 31, 2024
Article in press: January 31, 2024
Published online: March 15, 2024
Processing time: 138 Days and 1 Hours
Previous studies have illustrated that ubiquitin-specific protease 21 (USP21) and ZEB1 has been confirmed to take part into the regulation of cancers’ progression through serving as a facilitator. However, the regulatory functions of USP21, and the relationship between USP21 and ZEB1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression need more investigations.
To search useful bio-targets for CRC prognosis and treatment.
In order to probe the regulatory functions and the relationship between USP21 and ZEB1 in CRC progression.
The expressions of USP21 and ZEB1 in CRC were evaluated through real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. The prognosis of GC patients with high or low USP21 (or ZEB1) expression was evaluated. The relationship between USP21 and ZEB1 in CRC progression was validated. The regulatory of USP21/ZEB1 axis in CRC progression was assessed via in vitro and in vivo experiments.
USP21 and ZEB1 exhibited higher expression in CRC, and resulted into poor prognosis. USP21 contributed to the stability of ZEB1 through modulating ubiquitination level. Furthermore, results revealed that USP21 strengthened cell proliferation, migration and stemness through regulating ZEB1.
USP21 promoted tumorigenicity and stemness of CRC by deubiquitinating and stabilizing ZEB1.
Other regulatory functions and related molecular mechanisms of USP21/ZEB1 axis in CRC progression may be investigated in the future, and its application in CRC treatment will be extended.