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[A. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology] A-37

USP14 Inhibition Regulates Tumorigenesis by Inducing

Apoptosis in gastric Cancer In Vitro

MIYEA LEE¹, Peter C. W. LEE¹*

¹Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea

Deubiquitinase enzymes (DUBs), an essential component of the UPS, trim ubiquitin from substrate proteins, therefore
preventing proteins from degradation and modulating different cellular processes. Ubiquitin-specific protease 14

(USP14), one of the DUBs, has been mainly studied for its role in tumorigenesis of several cancers. In the present
study, we found that the protein levels of USP14 were remarkably higher on gastric cancer tissues compared to

adjacent normal tissues. We also demonstrated that inhibition of USP14 by IU1 (an USP14 inhibitor) or USP14-
specific siRNA significantly reduced cell viability, migratory and invasive capability of gastric cancer cells. Diminished

cell proliferation come from increased apoptotic cells, and it was due to higher expression of cleaved caspase-3
and cleaved PARP levels. Collectively, these findings indicated the critical roles of USP14 in gastric tumor progression,

suggesting its potential as a novel cancer therapeutic target.