Covalent targeting of PSMD14 by Eupalinolide B induces oncoprotein degradation and apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells

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Authors: Zheng Chu, Liting Xu, Honglin Chen, Tianyun Fan, Xueqian Hu, Yin Kwan Wong, Qiaoli Shi, Junzhe Zhang, Chengchao Xu, Jigang Wang, Huan Tang
Cited by: 1
References: 32

Abstract

, as a potent anti-leukemic compound targeting the human APL-derived HL-60 cell line. Through integrated chemoproteomic profiling and functional validation, we demonstrate that EB covalently binds and inhibits 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 14 (PSMD14), a deubiquitinase enzyme (DUB) within the 19S proteasome regulatory particle. This inhibition disrupts PSMD14-mediated stabilization of key oncoproteins RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), promoting their proteasomal degradation. As a result, EB induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Both genetic knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of PSMD14 recapitulate EB's effects, confirming its essential role in leukemia cell survival and proliferation. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously unrecognized PSMD14-AKT1/CDK4 regulatory axis in leukemia and position EB as a promising chemical probe and lead compound for the development of targeted covalent inhibitors against oncogenic DUBs.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways Retinoids in leukemia and cellular processes ATP Synthase and ATPases Research

Publication details

Journal / source
RSC Chemical Biology
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
7
Issue
3
Pages
433–443
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN