UHRF1 plays an oncogenic role in small cell lung cancer

Abstract Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a malignant tumor characterized by aggressiveness and dismal prognosis. The specific role of ubiquitin‐like PHD and RING finger domain (UHRF1), a frequently overexpressed cancer‐promoting gene in various tumors, is poorly understood in SCLC. Herein, we explored the potential carcinogenic role of UHRF1 in SCLC. First, public databases were used to analyze the expression of UHRF1 in SCLC, and tissue specimens in our center were examined to confirm the results while clinical outcomes were collected to analyze its relationship with UHRF1. Then, UHRF1 knockdown and overexpression cell lines were established to evaluate the carcinogenic function of UHRF1 in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of the biological consequences was determined by co‐inmunoprecipitation. Moreover, we also analyzed the influence of UHRF1 on cisplatin (DDP) sensitivity of SCLC. The expression of UHRF1 was significantly higher in SCLC tissues than in normal tissues, and high levels of UHRF1 suggested a poor prognosis for SCLC. Mechanistically, UHRF1 promoted SCLC growth through yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1). Specifically, UHRF1 bound to YAP1 and inhibited YAP1 ubiquitin degradation, thus stabilizing the YAP1 protein in SCLC cells. UHRF1 downregulation enhanced DDP sensitivity in SCLC cells and was correlated with a favorable prognosis in patients with SCLC treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. UHRF1 plays an oncogenic role in SCLC by modulating YAP1. Therefore, UHRF1 could be used as a biomarker to predict the prognosis of SCLC patients and serve as a potential therapeutic target for SCLC patients.