Ubiquitination in cancer: mechanisms, signaling networks and potential therapeutic opportunities
- 1School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Diabetes and Angiopathy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437000 China
- 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Risks and Related Diseases Precision Control, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, No. 88 Xianning Avenue, Xianning, Hubei 437100 China
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination is among the most important posttranslational modifications in eukaryotes. It precisely regulates protein stability and cellular signaling through the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS). A dynamic equilibrium network formed by the E1-E2-E3 enzymatic cascade and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) plays a central role in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, and signal transduction. In tumorigenesis and cancer progression, the UPS regulates key factors such as p53 and p27 to control cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is involved in the activation of oncogenic pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and NF-κB pathways, and regulates cancer stem cell maintenance and tumor immune microenvironment remodeling. On the basis of these mechanisms, significant progress has been made in therapeutic strategies targeting the UPS. Proteasome inhibitors have become standard treatments for multiple myeloma. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology overcomes the limitations of “undruggable” targets and enables the specific degradation of pathogenic proteins such as the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER). Molecular glue degraders exert antitumor effects by reshaping the substrate recognition interface of E3 ligases. E3 ligase inhibitors and DUB inhibitors are also entering clinical development. However, the selective toxicity, pharmacokinetic limitations of PROTACs, and acquired resistance remain major challenges. Future research should focus on optimizing drug design and delivery strategies to reduce systemic toxicity and establish a ubiquitination biomarker-guided precision medicine framework.
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BibTeX
@article{xue2026ubiquitination,
title = {{Ubiquitination in cancer: mechanisms, signaling networks and potential therapeutic opportunities}},
author = {Yan Xue and Huiying Wu and Wu Liu},
journal = {Molecular Cancer},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12943-026-02768-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-026-02768-6},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ubiquitination in cancer: mechanisms, signaling networks and potential therapeutic opportunities
AU - Yan Xue
AU - Huiying Wu
AU - Wu Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/05
JO - Molecular Cancer
DO - 10.1186/s12943-026-02768-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-026-02768-6
AB - Protein ubiquitination is among the most important posttranslational modifications in eukaryotes. It precisely regulates protein stability and cellular signaling through the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS). A dynamic equilibrium network formed by the E1-E2-E3 enzymatic cascade and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) plays a central role in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, and signal transduction. In tumorigenesis and cancer progression, the UPS regulates key factors such as p53 and p27 to control cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is involved in the activation of oncogenic pathways, including the PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and NF-κB pathways, and regulates cancer stem cell maintenance and tumor immune microenvironment remodeling. On the basis of these mechanisms, significant progress has been made in therapeutic strategies targeting the UPS. Proteasome inhibitors have become standard treatments for multiple myeloma. Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology overcomes the limitations of “undruggable” targets and enables the specific degradation of pathogenic proteins such as the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER). Molecular glue degraders exert antitumor effects by reshaping the substrate recognition interface of E3 ligases. E3 ligase inhibitors and DUB inhibitors are also entering clinical development. However, the selective toxicity, pharmacokinetic limitations of PROTACs, and acquired resistance remain major challenges. Future research should focus on optimizing drug design and delivery strategies to reduce systemic toxicity and establish a ubiquitination biomarker-guided precision medicine framework.
SN - 1476-4598
ER -