Genomic amplification of OTUD7B is frequently found across human cancers. But its role in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is known to execute epigenetic regulation by forming corepressor complex with CoREST/histone deacetylases (HDACs). However, the molecular mechanisms by which cells maintain LSD1/CoREST complex integrity are unknown. Here, it is reported that LSD1 protein undergoes K63-linked polyubiquitination. OTUD7B is responsible for LSD1 deubiquitination at K226/277 residues, resulting in dynamic control of LSD1 binding partner specificity and cellular homeostasis. OTUD7B deficiency increases K63-linked ubiquitination of LSD1, which disrupts LSD1/CoREST complex formation and targets LSD1 for p62-mediated proteolysis. Consequently, OTUD7B deficiency impairs genome-wide LSD1 occupancy and enhances the methylation of H3K4/H3K9, therefore profoundly impacting global gene expression and abrogating breast cancer metastasis. Moreover, physiological fluctuation of OTUD7B modulates cell cycle-dependent LSD1 oscillation, ensuring the G1/S transition. Both OTUD7B and LSD1 proteins are overpresented in high-grade or metastatic human breast cancer, while dysregulation of either protein is associated with poor survival and metastasis. Thus, OTUD7B plays a unique partner-switching role in maintaining the integrity of LSD1/CoREST corepressor complex, LSD1 turnover, and breast cancer metastasis.
Keywords: deubiquitination; epigenetic modification; gene transcription; metastasis.
© 2021 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.