PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer

Abstract 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of gastric cancer, limiting its clinical efficacy. Our study identifies NUSAP1, a nucleolar and spindle-associated protein, as a key driver of 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer. Proteomic analyses of 5-FU-resi...

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Main Authors: Suting Jiang, Guoli Li, Shihan Peng, Shitong Chen, Yi Pang, Hongjuan Cui, Feng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-05-01
Series:Cell Death and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07723-9
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author Suting Jiang
Guoli Li
Shihan Peng
Shitong Chen
Yi Pang
Hongjuan Cui
Feng Wang
author_facet Suting Jiang
Guoli Li
Shihan Peng
Shitong Chen
Yi Pang
Hongjuan Cui
Feng Wang
author_sort Suting Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of gastric cancer, limiting its clinical efficacy. Our study identifies NUSAP1, a nucleolar and spindle-associated protein, as a key driver of 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer. Proteomic analyses of 5-FU-resistant gastric cancer cell lines revealed that NUSAP1 is significantly upregulated, and functional studies demonstrated its essential role in promoting resistance, proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. Mechanistic investigations revealed that NUSAP1 undergoes asymmetric dimethylation (ADMA) at R418 and R422, mediated by PRMT1, with the R422 site being critical for its function. NUSAP1 interacts with the PEST domain of Notch2 through its R422 site, inhibiting Notch2 ubiquitination and stabilizing its expression, thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway. This pathway is closely linked to gastric cancer progression and chemoresistance. Inhibition of PRMT1 or mutation of the R422 site abrogated NUSAP1’s ability to stabilize Notch2 and regulate downstream signaling. These findings unveil a novel mechanism by which NUSAP1 promotes 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the NUSAP1-Notch2 axis or PRMT1 in overcoming chemoresistance.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-4889
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series Cell Death and Disease
spelling doaj-art-fdc19c4da75749dd90e9f236c6b8d7672025-08-20T03:47:45ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death and Disease2041-48892025-05-0116111410.1038/s41419-025-07723-9PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancerSuting Jiang0Guoli Li1Shihan Peng2Shitong Chen3Yi Pang4Hongjuan Cui5Feng Wang6Chongqing Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical CollegeChongqing Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest UniversityState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest UniversityChongqing Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical CollegeState Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest UniversityChongqing Key Laboratory of Development and Utilization of Genuine Medicinal Materials in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical CollegeAbstract 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of gastric cancer, limiting its clinical efficacy. Our study identifies NUSAP1, a nucleolar and spindle-associated protein, as a key driver of 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer. Proteomic analyses of 5-FU-resistant gastric cancer cell lines revealed that NUSAP1 is significantly upregulated, and functional studies demonstrated its essential role in promoting resistance, proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth. Mechanistic investigations revealed that NUSAP1 undergoes asymmetric dimethylation (ADMA) at R418 and R422, mediated by PRMT1, with the R422 site being critical for its function. NUSAP1 interacts with the PEST domain of Notch2 through its R422 site, inhibiting Notch2 ubiquitination and stabilizing its expression, thereby activating the Notch2 signaling pathway. This pathway is closely linked to gastric cancer progression and chemoresistance. Inhibition of PRMT1 or mutation of the R422 site abrogated NUSAP1’s ability to stabilize Notch2 and regulate downstream signaling. These findings unveil a novel mechanism by which NUSAP1 promotes 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the NUSAP1-Notch2 axis or PRMT1 in overcoming chemoresistance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07723-9
spellingShingle Suting Jiang
Guoli Li
Shihan Peng
Shitong Chen
Yi Pang
Hongjuan Cui
Feng Wang
PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
Cell Death and Disease
title PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
title_full PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
title_fullStr PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
title_full_unstemmed PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
title_short PRMT1-catalyzed NUSAP1 methylation enhances Notch2 signaling and 5-FU resistance in gastric cancer
title_sort prmt1 catalyzed nusap1 methylation enhances notch2 signaling and 5 fu resistance in gastric cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07723-9
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