SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) continues to pose a significant global health burden, necessitating a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving its progression. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of SMAD3 in modulating Sestrin2 ubiquitination stability and i...

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Main Authors: Ning Zhang, Na Zhao, Hainan Zhang, Le Yao, Hongtao Si
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Cell Division
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13008-025-00163-z
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author Ning Zhang
Na Zhao
Hainan Zhang
Le Yao
Hongtao Si
author_facet Ning Zhang
Na Zhao
Hainan Zhang
Le Yao
Hongtao Si
author_sort Ning Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) continues to pose a significant global health burden, necessitating a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving its progression. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of SMAD3 in modulating Sestrin2 ubiquitination stability and its implications in GC cell behaviors. Methods Leveraging GC-related single-cell transcriptomic data, we employed advanced analytical approaches to unveil the relationship between SMAD3 and Sestrin2. Experimental validations involving RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analyses elucidated the impact of SMAD3 on Sestrin2 expression and subcellular localization. In vitro models of SMAD3 overexpression and knockdown were utilized to assess the functional consequences on GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The interaction between SMAD3 and ubiquitination-related enzymes RNF167 and STAMBPL1 was investigated through immunoprecipitation assays. Results Our findings revealed a positive correlation between SMAD3, Sestrin2, and STAMBPL1 expression, indicating a regulatory network within GC cells. SMAD3 was shown to stabilize Sestrin2 protein levels by influencing the ubiquitination processes of STAMBPL1 and RNF167. Functional assays demonstrated the promotion of GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, along with decreased apoptosis, by the SMAD3-Sestrin2 axis. Moreover, SMAD3-mediated regulation of Sestrin2 stability was found to enhance GC metastasis. Conclusion The study underscores the critical role of SMAD3 in modulating Sestrin2 expression and stability, consequently impacting GC cell behaviors and metastatic potential. The SMAD3-Sestrin2 axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target for GC treatment. Graphic abstract Multimodal analysis reveals the molecular mechanism by which SMAD3 mediates the synergistic regulation of Sestrin2’s polyubiquitination levels through RNF167 and STAMBPL1 to induce GC.
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spelling doaj-art-924c3a75e3274d52a7c6cdf32a1d92ff2025-08-20T03:05:15ZengBMCCell Division1747-10282025-08-0120111510.1186/s13008-025-00163-zSMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progressionNing Zhang0Na Zhao1Hainan Zhang2Le Yao3Hongtao Si4Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of Internal Medicine, Anxin County HospitalDepartment of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery IV, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical UniversityAbstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) continues to pose a significant global health burden, necessitating a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving its progression. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of SMAD3 in modulating Sestrin2 ubiquitination stability and its implications in GC cell behaviors. Methods Leveraging GC-related single-cell transcriptomic data, we employed advanced analytical approaches to unveil the relationship between SMAD3 and Sestrin2. Experimental validations involving RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analyses elucidated the impact of SMAD3 on Sestrin2 expression and subcellular localization. In vitro models of SMAD3 overexpression and knockdown were utilized to assess the functional consequences on GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The interaction between SMAD3 and ubiquitination-related enzymes RNF167 and STAMBPL1 was investigated through immunoprecipitation assays. Results Our findings revealed a positive correlation between SMAD3, Sestrin2, and STAMBPL1 expression, indicating a regulatory network within GC cells. SMAD3 was shown to stabilize Sestrin2 protein levels by influencing the ubiquitination processes of STAMBPL1 and RNF167. Functional assays demonstrated the promotion of GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, along with decreased apoptosis, by the SMAD3-Sestrin2 axis. Moreover, SMAD3-mediated regulation of Sestrin2 stability was found to enhance GC metastasis. Conclusion The study underscores the critical role of SMAD3 in modulating Sestrin2 expression and stability, consequently impacting GC cell behaviors and metastatic potential. The SMAD3-Sestrin2 axis emerges as a promising therapeutic target for GC treatment. Graphic abstract Multimodal analysis reveals the molecular mechanism by which SMAD3 mediates the synergistic regulation of Sestrin2’s polyubiquitination levels through RNF167 and STAMBPL1 to induce GC.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13008-025-00163-zSMAD family member 3Sestrin2UbiquitinationGastric CancerCell proliferation
spellingShingle Ning Zhang
Na Zhao
Hainan Zhang
Le Yao
Hongtao Si
SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
Cell Division
SMAD family member 3
Sestrin2
Ubiquitination
Gastric Cancer
Cell proliferation
title SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
title_full SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
title_fullStr SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
title_full_unstemmed SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
title_short SMAD3 orchestrates RNF167 and STAMBPL1-mediated Sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
title_sort smad3 orchestrates rnf167 and stambpl1 mediated sestrin2 ubiquitination to drive gastric cancer progression
topic SMAD family member 3
Sestrin2
Ubiquitination
Gastric Cancer
Cell proliferation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13008-025-00163-z
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