Research advancements on the involvement of E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR5 in gastrointestinal cancers

Abstract

E3 ubiquitin ligases comprise a family of ubiquitination-catalyzing enzymes that have been extensively researched and are considered crucial components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system involved in various diseases. The ubiquitin-protein ligase E3 component n-recognition 5 (UBR5) is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that has garnered considerable interest of late. Recent studies demonstrate that UBR5 undergoes high-frequency mutations, chromosomal amplification, and/or abnormalities during expression of various malignant tumors. These alterations correlate with the biological behaviors and prognoses of malignancies, such as tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the biological functions of UBR5, and its role and relevance in the context of gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, this article expounds a scientific basis to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancers and developing targeted therapeutic strategies for their remediation.

Highlights

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  UBR5 is orthologous to the Drosophilla hyperplastic disc tumor suppressor gene.

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  UBR5 mediates tumor development and proliferation via substrate ubiquitination.

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  UBR5 undergoes mutations, amplification, and/or overexpression in malignant tumors.

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  Tumor malignancy and poor prognosis is attributable to aberrant UBR5 expression.