Downregulation of ubiquitin inhibits the proliferation and radioresistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Radioresistance has been an important factor in restricting efficacy of radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and new approaches to inhibit cancer growth and sensitize irradiation were warranted. Despite the important role of ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) during cancer progression and treatment, the expression and biological role of ubiquitin (Ub) in human NSCLC has not been characterized. In this study, we found that ubiquitin was significantly overexpressed in 75 NSCLC tissues, compared to their respective benign tissues by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.0001). Knock-down of ubiquitin by mixed shRNAs targeting its coding genes ubiquitin B (UBB) and ubiquitin C (UBC) suppressed the growth and increased the radiosensitivity in NSCLC H1299 cells. Apoptosis and γ H2AX foci induced by X-ray irradiation were enhanced by knock-down of ubiquitin. Western blot and immunostaining showed that knock-down of ubiquitin decreased the expression and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus by reduced phospho-IκBα after irradiation. Suppression of ubiquitin decreased the proliferation and radioresistance of H1299 transplanted xenografts in nude mice by promoting apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate the critical role of ubiquitin in NSCLC proliferation and radiosensitivity. Targeting ubiquitin may serve as a potentially important and novel approach for NSCLC prevention and therapy.