Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP19 Regulates Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Damage in SH-SY5Y Cells by Targeting the NOX4 Protein

Abstract

Background:

Ferroptosis is extremely relevant to the progression of neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USP) can affect the NADPH oxidase family.

Objective:

Our study aimed to elucidate the potential role and molecular basis of a certain USP19 in reducing ferroptosis and mitochondrial injury in AD cells by targeting NOX4 stability.

Methods:

The deubiquitinase USP family gene USP19, which affects the stability of NOX4 protein, was first screened. The cell model of AD was constructed after interfering with SH-SY5Y cells by Aβ_1-40, and then SH-SY5Y cells were infected with lentiviral vectors to knock down USP19 and overexpress NOX4, respectively. Finally, the groups were tested for cell viability, changes in cellular mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid reactive oxygen species, intracellular iron metabolism, and NOX4, Mf1, Mf2, and Drp1 protein expression.

Results:

5 μmol/L Aβ_1-40 intervened in SH-SY5Y cells for 24 h to construct a cell model of AD. Knockdown of USP19 decreased the expression of NOX4 protein, promoted the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins Mnf1 and Mnf2, and inhibited the expression of the splitting protein Drp1. Furthermore, USP19 knockdown decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, SOD, MDA, intracellular iron content and increased GSH/GSSG ratio in SH-SY5Y cells. Our study revealed that NOX4 protein interacts with USP19 and knockdown of USP19 enhanced ubiquitination to maintain NOX4 protein stability.

Conclusions:

USP19 attenuates mitochondrial damage in SH-SY5Y cells by targeting NOX4 protein with Aβ_1-40.