G3BP1 inhibits Cul3SPOP to amplify AR signaling and promote prostate cancer

SPOP functions as a tumour suppressor in prostate cancer but how the protein is regulated is unclear. Here, the authors identify G3BP1 as a competitive inhibitor of SPOP and show that G3BP1-SPOP axis activates androgen signalling to drive tumorigenesis. SPOP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, acts as a prostate-specific tumor suppressor with several key substrates mediating oncogenic function. However, the mechanisms underlying SPOP regulation are largely unknown. Here, we have identified G3BP1 as an interactor of SPOP and functions as a competitive inhibitor of Cul3(SPOP), suggesting a distinctive mode of Cul3(SPOP) inactivation in prostate cancer (PCa). Transcriptomic analysis and functional studies reveal a G3BP1-SPOP ubiquitin signaling axis that promotes PCa progression through activating AR signaling. Moreover, AR directly upregulates G3BP1 transcription to further amplify G3BP1-SPOP signaling in a feed-forward manner. Our study supports a fundamental role of G3BP1 in disabling the tumor suppressive Cul3(SPOP), thus defining a PCa cohort independent of SPOP mutation. Therefore, there are significantly more PCa that are defective for SPOP ubiquitin ligase than previously appreciated, and these G3BP1(high) PCa are more susceptible to AR-targeted therapy.

Automated summary

This study reveals that G3BP1 acts as a competitive inhibitor of SPOP, promoting tumorigenesis in prostate cancer by activating androgen signaling. Furthermore, AR directly upregulates G3BP1 transcription to amplify G3BP1-SPOP signaling in a feed-forward manner.