The diverse roles of SPOP in prostate cancer and kidney cancer

Multiple studies have confirmed that speckle-type pox virus and zinc finger (POZ) protein (SPOP) functions as a substrate adaptor of cullin 3-based E3 ligase and has a crucial role in various cellular processes via specific targeting of proteins for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Dysregulation of SPOP-mediated proteolysis might be involved in the development and progression of human prostate and kidney cancers. In prostate cancer, SPOP seems to function as a tumour suppressor by targeting several proteins, including androgen receptor (AR), steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC3) and BRD4, for degradation, whereas it might function as an oncoprotein in kidney cancer, for example, by targeting phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) for proteasomal degradation. In addition, nuclear SPOP targets AR for degradation and has a role as a tumour suppressor in prostate cancer; however, in kidney cancer, SPOP largely accumulates in the cytoplasm and fails to promote degradation of AR located in the nucleus, resulting in activation of AR-driven pathways and cancer progression. Owing to the context-dependent function of SPOP in human malignancies, further assessment of the molecular mechanisms involving SPOP in prostate and kidney cancers is needed to improve our understanding of its role in the development of these cancer types. Treatments that target SPOP might become therapeutic strategies in these malignancies in the future. SPOP is involved in tumorigenesis by promoting ubiquitination and degradation of its substrates in human cancers. Wang et al. describe the regulation of expression and function of SPOP and discuss its roles in prostate and kidney cancers, focusing on various SPOP substrate proteins. They also highlight SPOP targeting as a potential therapeutic strategy.