Isoform specific FBXW7 mediates NOTCH1 Abruptex mutation C1133Y deregulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Aug 13;11(8):615. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-02873-4.

Abstract

Our group previously identified that the NOTCH1 Abruptex domain contains the most mutations in Chinese OSCC patients, including a hotspot mutation (C1133Y). FBXW7 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates a network of proteins, including NOTCH1, via degradation. In this study, we first described the co-localization of isoform specific FBXW7-FBXW7β and NOTCH1C1133Y mutation in the same cytoplasmic sites. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed to examine the tumor suppressor role of FBXW7β in the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells. The co-expression of NOTCH1C1133Y and FBXW7β significantly attenuated tumor growth. Meanwhile, FBXW7β reversed the oncogenic phenotype and the activation of the AKT/ERK/NFκB pathway induced by NOTCH1C1133Y mutation. FBXW7β downregulated the stability of NOTCH1C1133Y protein and promoted protein ubiquitination. This was the first time that we selected a NOTCH1 hotspot mutation detected in clinical samples and identified the function of FBXW7β that mediated NOTCH1 mutation degradation in OSCC. The newly identified interaction between FBXW7β and NOTCH1C1133Y protein provides new insights into the progression of OSCC, especially regarding Abruptex domain mutations, and represents a valuable target for OSCC therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Mice, Nude
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Oncogenes
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Receptor, Notch1 / genetics*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
  • NF-kappa B
  • NOTCH1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptor, Notch1