Function of Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP14 as Oncogene in Different Types of Cancer

Background/Aims: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues overexpress USP14, which promotes tumor cell proliferation and is associated with shorter overall survival time. Methods: The expression of USP14 was assayed in many types of cancers. USP14 was up- and down-regulated using appropriate plasmid or lentiviral vector constructs and its effects on proliferation, cell colony number, and apoptosis rate were measured. A human NSCLC cell line was inoculated into nude mice and the survival rates were recorded. Results: We found USP14 amplification and overexpression in many different cancers. The overexpression of USP14 in USP14 low-expression cell lines promoted cell proliferation and migration, whereas USP14 downregulation suppressed tumor cell proliferation, decreased tumor cell colony number, increased apoptosis rate, and decreased cell migration and invasion. Conclusion: USP14 plays an oncogenic role in various types of cancer, and may thus represent a new cancer therapy target. Copyright (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel