Ubiquitination and SUMOylation in the chronic inflammatory tumor microenvironment

Publication date: Available online 21 August 2018Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on CancerAuthor(s): Shu Chun Chang, Jeak Ling DingAbstractCells and soluble mediators of the innate and adaptive immune systems are fundamental components of the tumor microenvironment. Nuclear factors, e.g. transcription factors (TFs) and oncoproteins/cancer suppressors, play important roles in controlling cytokine functions leading to the development, maintenance and metastasis of cancers. Studies focusing on the regulators of the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment are particularly pertinent to early diagnosis and potential development of targeted cancer therapeutics. This review is motivated by new insights into the molecular dynamics of ubiquitination and SUMOylation, which post-translationally modify tumor suppressor TFs, leading to initiation and progression of various cancers like prostate, colorectal, liver and breast cancers. These modification pathways are differentially modulated under various stimuli or stresses in order to sustain the oncogenic potentials. We deliberate on the vicious cycle of infection and chronic inflammation-driven processes of ubiquitination and SUMOylation, resulting in the imbalance in cytokine profiles in the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment.

Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Reviews on Cancer - August 21, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research