VCP’s nuclear journey: Initiated by interacting with KPNB1 to repair DNA damage

Z Zhichao Xing (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) X Xiaoying Cai (Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) T Ting He (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) P Peiheng Li (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) J Jun He Y Yuxuan Qiu (Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University) N Na Li L Li Mi (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) R Ruixi Li (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) J Jingqiang Zhu (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Z Zhihui Li A Anping Su (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) H Haoyu Ye (Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) W Wenshuang Wu (Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University)

Abstract

DNA damage repair (DDR) is essential for cancer cell survival and treatment resistance, making it a critical target for tumor therapy. The eukaryotic AAA+ adenosine triphosphatase valosin-containing protein (VCP), which is transported from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, plays a critical role in the DDR process. However, the nuclear translocation and molecular mechanism of VCP for DDR remain elusive. Here, we define VCP as a KPNB1 interacting protein through a combination of chemical and immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry approaches. Further biochemical studies elucidate that KPNB1 directly transports VCP into the nucleus. We also identify withaferin A (WA) as a small molecule that can retard VCP nuclear localization via covalent binding to CYS 158 of KPNB1. Further studies verify WA as an effective antitumor drug candidate via blocking VCP nuclear localization to impact on the DDR pathway in vivo. Our findings underly the unclear VCP’s role in DDR in a KPNB1-dependent manner and provide an important theoretical basis for developing small-molecule inhibitors targeting this process.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 19
Published May 13, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (14)

Z

Zhichao Xing

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

X

Xiaoying Cai

Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

T

Ting He

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

P

Peiheng Li

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

J

Jun He

Y

Yuxuan Qiu

Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University

N

Na Li

L

Li Mi

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

R

Ruixi Li

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

J

Jingqiang Zhu

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Z

Zhihui Li

A

Anping Su

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

H

Haoyu Ye

Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

W

Wenshuang Wu

Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University