Deubiquitinase USP13 promotes extracellular matrix expression by stabilizing Smad4 in lung fibroblast cells

Smad4 plays a central role in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression and cell differentiation; however, the molecular regulation of Smad4 protein stability by a deubiquitinase has not been reported. In the current study, we reveal that a deubiquitinase USP13 stabilizes Smad4, ultimately modulating ECM protein expression in lung fibroblast cells. USP13 was increased in primary adult lung fibroblasts isolated from bleomycin-challenged mice and transforming growth factor (TGF)- β1-treated primary mouse lung fibroblasts.

Source: Translational Research - May 16, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Xinxin Liao, Yanhui Li, Jia Liu, Yingze Zhang, Jiangning Tan, Daniel J. Kass, Mauricio Rojas, Rama Mallapalli, Jing Zhao, Yutong Zhao Source Type: research