CHIP/Stub1 functions as a tumor suppressor and represses NF-κB-mediated signaling in colorectal cancer

Carcinogenesis. 2014 May;35(5):983-91. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgt393. Epub 2013 Dec 3.

Abstract

The carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP, also named Stub1), a U-box containing E3 ubiquitin ligase, is involved in degradation of certain oncogenic proteins. Recent studies indicated that CHIP suppresses tumor progression in human cancers by targeting Src-3, hypoxia inducible factor 1α, NF-κB, ErbB2 and c-Myc. Here, we report that CHIP was downregulated, predominantly, in the late stages of human colorectal cancer (CRC), and that the CHIP promoter was hypermethylated in CRC specimens. Overexpression of CHIP in HCT-116 cells resulted in impaired tumor growth in nude mice and decreased abilities of tumor cell migration and invasion. Conversely, depletion of CHIP in HCT-116 cells promoted tumor growth and increased tumor cell migration and invasion. CHIP was further found to negatively regulate NF-κB signaling in HCT-116 cells by promoting ubiquitination and degradation of p65, a subunit of the NF-κB complex. The suppressive effect of CHIP led to decreased expression of NF-κB-targeted oncogenes including Cyclin D1, c-Myc, MMP-2, VEGF and IL-8. We proposed that CHIP inhibits the malignancy of CRC cells, possibly through targeting NF-κB signaling. This study provides functional evidence for CHIP as a potential tumor suppressor in CRC, and CHIP expression may be a marker for stages of CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factor RelA / metabolism
  • Tumor Burden
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • STUB1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases