Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: A spinal USP7-Bach1 positive feedback loop drives NOX4-mediated ferroptosis in neuropathic pain

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104153

Figure Lengend Snippet: Inhibition of USP7 alleviates Bach1 expression, ferroptosis and neuropathic pain. (A) Representative Western blots and quantitative analysis showing increased expression of USP7 in the spinal cord of SNI mice compared with sham controls (∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, n = 6 per group). (B) Double immunofluorescence staining of USP7 (red) with the cellular markers GFAP (astrocytes, green), Iba1 (microglia, green), and NeuN (neurons, green) in the spinal dorsal horn of SNI mice (n = 3 per group). White boxes indicate representative cells shown at higher magnification. Scale bar: 100 μm. (C) Behavioral assessments showing that intraperitoneal administration of the USP7 inhibitor P005091 significantly increased PWT and PWL in SNI mice compared with the SNI + Vehicle group (n = 6 per group). (D-I) Representative Western blots and quantitative analysis showing that P005091 treatment downregulated the expression of USP7, Bach1, and NOX4, and upregulated the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 in the spinal cord of SNI mice (n = 6 per group). (J-L) Biochemical assays showing that P005091 treatment reduced the SNI-induced elevations in Fe 2+ and MDA levels, and restored the content of GSH in spinal cord tissues (n = 6 per group). (M) Representative TEM images and quantification of spinal cord mitochondria. Scale bar: 500 nm. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Significance was determined by one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001 vs. Sham + Vehicle group; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001, #### P < 0.0001 vs. SNI + Vehicle group). The value of n represents the number of independent biological samples. All molecular experiments were independently repeated at least three times with consistent results.

Article Snippet: In in vivo experiments, the ferroptosis inhibitor FER-1 (10 mg/kg, i.p., Hy-100579) [ ], the Bach1 inhibitor Bach1-IN-1 (also known as HPPE, 10 mg/kg, i.g., HY-153040 , MCE, China), the NOX4 inhibitor GLX351322 (5 mg/kg, i.p., HY-100111, MCE, China), and the USP7 inhibitor P005091 (15 mg/kg, i.p., HY-15667 , MCE, China) were administered once daily for 5 consecutive days.

Techniques: Inhibition, Expressing, Western Blot, Double Immunofluorescence Staining

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: A spinal USP7-Bach1 positive feedback loop drives NOX4-mediated ferroptosis in neuropathic pain

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104153

Figure Lengend Snippet: USP7 stabilizes Bach1 and is required for its pro-ferroptotic activity in vivo. (A) Representative immunofluorescence images showing co-localization of USP7 (red) and Bach1 (green) in the spinal dorsal horn of mice. Scale bar: 100 μm. (B–C) Exogenous Co-IP analysis in N2a cells co-expressing FLAG-Bach1 and His-USP7 confirmed their specific interaction. (D) Endogenous Co-IP in spinal cord tissue using anti-USP7 antibody demonstrated that Bach1 co-precipitates with USP7 under physiological conditions. (E) Denaturing ubiquitination assay showing that USP7 overexpression markedly reduced HA-Ub-labeled Bach1 in N2a cells following MG132 treatment. (F) Quantification of CHX chase assay results demonstrates that USP7 overexpression extends the half-life of Bach1 from 3.43 h to 10.68 h, as shown by the representative immunoblot of Bach1 protein levels at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h (∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001, n = 3 per group). (G) Representative EGFP fluorescence images confirming successful viral transduction in spinal dorsal horn. Scale bar: 100 μm. (H) Behavioral assessments of PWT and PWL (n = 9 per group). siUSP7 alleviated SNI-induced pain hypersensitivity, whereas Bach1 overexpression reversed this protective effect. (I-Q) Western blot analysis and quantification of USP7, Bach1, NOX4, GPX4, SLC7A11, ACSL4, and 4-HNE expression in spinal cord from indicated groups (n = 6 per group). (R–U) Biochemical measurements of Fe 2+ , MDA, GSH, and ATP levels in spinal cord tissues (n = 6 per group). (V) Representative TEM images and quantification showing mitochondrial morphology in spinal neurons (n = 3 per group). Scale bar: 500 nm. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between two independent groups were performed using unpaired two-tailed Student's t-tests. All multi-group comparisons were conducted using one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (H–V: ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001 vs. Sham + AAV-Vector + siNC group; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001, #### P < 0.0001 vs. SNI + AAV-Vector + siNC group; & P < 0.05, && P < 0.01, &&& P < 0.001, &&&& P < 0.0001 vs. SNI + AAV-Vector + siUSP7 group). The value of n represents the number of independent biological samples. All molecular and cellular experiments were independently repeated at least three times with consistent results.

Article Snippet: In in vivo experiments, the ferroptosis inhibitor FER-1 (10 mg/kg, i.p., Hy-100579) [ ], the Bach1 inhibitor Bach1-IN-1 (also known as HPPE, 10 mg/kg, i.g., HY-153040 , MCE, China), the NOX4 inhibitor GLX351322 (5 mg/kg, i.p., HY-100111, MCE, China), and the USP7 inhibitor P005091 (15 mg/kg, i.p., HY-15667 , MCE, China) were administered once daily for 5 consecutive days.

Techniques: Activity Assay, In Vivo, Immunofluorescence, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Expressing, Ubiquitin Proteomics, Over Expression, Labeling, Western Blot, Fluorescence, Transduction, Two Tailed Test, Plasmid Preparation

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: A spinal USP7-Bach1 positive feedback loop drives NOX4-mediated ferroptosis in neuropathic pain

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104153

Figure Lengend Snippet: USP7 overexpression induces Bach1-dependent ferroptosis and pain hypersensitivity in naïve mice. (A) Representative fluorescence images showing EGFP expression in the spinal dorsal horn, confirming successful AAV-USP7 transduction. Scale bar: 100 μm. (B) Behavioral assessments showing that AAV-USP7 significantly decreased the PWT and PWL in naïve mice compared with the AAV-Vector control group (n = 6 per group). (C) RT-qPCR analysis of Bach1 mRNA levels in spinal tissues following USP7 overexpression (n = 6 per group). (D-F) Representative Western blots and quantitative analysis of spinal cord tissues showing increased protein levels of USP7 and Bach1 following AAV-USP7 injection (n = 6 per group). (G-H) Behavioral tests demonstrating that Bach1-IN-1 treatment reversed the reductions in PWT and PWL induced by AAV-USP7 overexpression (n = 6 per group). (I-L) Representative Western blots and quantitative analysis showing that AAV-USP7 increased NOX4 expression and decreased the levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4, which were restored by Bach1-IN-1 treatment (n = 6 per group). (M − O) Biochemical assays quantifying ferroptosis-related indicators in spinal cord tissues. AAV-USP7 elevated Fe 2+ and MDA levels and reduced GSH content, and these changes were attenuated by Bach1-IN-1 (n = 6 per group). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between two independent groups were performed using unpaired two-tailed Student's t-tests. All multi-group comparisons were conducted using one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001 vs. Naïve + AAV-Vector group; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001, #### P < 0.0001 vs. Naïve + AAV-USP7 group). The value of n represents the number of independent biological samples. All molecular experiments were independently repeated at least three times with consistent results.

Article Snippet: In in vivo experiments, the ferroptosis inhibitor FER-1 (10 mg/kg, i.p., Hy-100579) [ ], the Bach1 inhibitor Bach1-IN-1 (also known as HPPE, 10 mg/kg, i.g., HY-153040 , MCE, China), the NOX4 inhibitor GLX351322 (5 mg/kg, i.p., HY-100111, MCE, China), and the USP7 inhibitor P005091 (15 mg/kg, i.p., HY-15667 , MCE, China) were administered once daily for 5 consecutive days.

Techniques: Over Expression, Fluorescence, Expressing, Transduction, Plasmid Preparation, Control, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Injection, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: A spinal USP7-Bach1 positive feedback loop drives NOX4-mediated ferroptosis in neuropathic pain

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104153

Figure Lengend Snippet: USP7 promotes ferroptosis through Bach1 and forms a positive feedback loop with Bach1. (A-F) Representative Western blots and quantitative analysis of USP7, Bach1, NOX4, SLC7A11, and GPX4 protein levels in N2a cells following USP7 overexpression and/or Bach1 inhibition (n = 3 per group). (G) Flow cytometric analysis using the fluorescent probe BODIPY™ 581/591 C11 to detect lipid ROS. The ratio of oxidized (FITC) to total fluorescence was increased in OE-USP7 cells and reduced by co-treatment with Bach1-IN-1 (n = 3 per group). (H-J) Biochemical quantification of ferroptosis-related parameters in cell lysates. OE-USP7 elevated intracellular Fe 2+ and MDA levels and decreased GSH content; these changes were attenuated by Bach1-IN-1 (n = 3 per group). (K) Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay showing that Bach1-IN-1 restored the viability of OE-USP7 cells (n = 3 per group). (L) RT-qPCR analysis showing that USP7 mRNA levels were upregulated by Bach1 overexpression (OE-Bach1) and downregulated by Bach1 knockdown (si-Bach1) (n = 3 per group). (M − O) Representative Western blots and quantification of Bach1 and USP7 protein levels in N2a cells transfected with OE-Bach1 or si-Bach1, confirming the regulatory effect of Bach1 on USP7 expression (n = 3 per group). (P) JASPAR analysis of the USP7 promoter identified two putative Bach1-binding sites (MAREs) located at −1756 bp (Site 1) and −1159 bp (Site 2). (Q) Motif alignment revealed that Site 1 closely matches the consensus Bach1-binding sequence. (R) ChIP-qPCR analysis using primers flanking Site 1 (−1756 bp), confirming enrichment of Bach1 at this specific promoter locus in N2a cells (n = 3 per group). (S) Schematic of wild-type (WT) and mutant (MUT) USP7 promoter constructs used in luciferase reporter assays. (T) Luciferase assays show that Bach1 overexpression increases activity of the wild-type USP7 promoter, while mutation of the binding sites eliminates this effect (n = 3 per group). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between two independent groups were performed using unpaired two-tailed Student's t-tests. All multi-group comparisons were conducted using one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc tests (B–K: ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001 vs. Ctrl group; # P < 0.05, ## P < 0.01, ### P < 0.001, #### P < 0.0001 vs. OE-USP7 group; L-T:∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001). The value of n represents the number of independent biological samples. All molecular and cellular experiments were independently repeated at least three times with consistent results.

Article Snippet: In in vivo experiments, the ferroptosis inhibitor FER-1 (10 mg/kg, i.p., Hy-100579) [ ], the Bach1 inhibitor Bach1-IN-1 (also known as HPPE, 10 mg/kg, i.g., HY-153040 , MCE, China), the NOX4 inhibitor GLX351322 (5 mg/kg, i.p., HY-100111, MCE, China), and the USP7 inhibitor P005091 (15 mg/kg, i.p., HY-15667 , MCE, China) were administered once daily for 5 consecutive days.

Techniques: Western Blot, Over Expression, Inhibition, Fluorescence, Cell Counting, CCK-8 Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Knockdown, Transfection, Expressing, Binding Assay, Sequencing, ChIP-qPCR, Mutagenesis, Construct, Luciferase, Activity Assay, Two Tailed Test

Journal: Clinical and Translational Medicine

Article Title: Targeting KIF23 inhibits cell proliferation and primary chemoresistance in cervical cancer by inactivating the MYH9/MCM2/PCNA pathway

doi: 10.1002/ctm2.70652

Figure Lengend Snippet: KIF23 and myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) interact with ubiquitin‐specific protease 7 (USP7). (A) Molecular docking results for KIF23 and MYH9. (B) Co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) analysis to detect the interaction between KIF23 and MYH9 in CC cells. (C) Immunofluorescence (IF) analysis showing the co‐localisation of KIF23 and MYH9 in CC cells (scale bar: 10 µm). (D) Reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) analysis of MYH9 mRNA levels in CC cells with or without KIF23 KO. (E) Western blotting (WB) analysis of MYH9 protein levels in CC cells with or without KIF23 KO. (F) Nuclear and cytoplasmic fractionation assay to detect MYH9 protein levels in overexpression KIF23 (oe‐ KIF23 ) CC cells. (G) Schematic diagram of the functional domains of KIF23. (H) Co‐IP assay demonstrating the interaction between different KIF23 domains and MYH9 in HEK‐293T cells transfected with the corresponding constructs. (I) Schematic diagram of the functional domains of MYH9. (J) Co‐IP assay demonstrating the interaction between different MYH9 domains and KIF23 in HEK‐293T cells. (K and L) Molecular docking diagrams of MYH9 with USP7 and KIF23 with USP7. (M) Co‐IP analysis in CC cells demonstrating the interactions of MYH9 and KIF23 with USP7. (N and O) Representative confocal images showing the co‐localisation of MYH9 with USP7 and KIF23 with USP7 (scale bar: 10 µm).

Article Snippet: CC cells were transfected with plasmid constructs encoding USP7 (Miaoling Biology), MYH9 (Vigene Biosciences), MCM2 (Miaoling Biology) and USP15 (Miaoling Biology) using Lipofectamine 3000 (model L2000‐015; Invitrogen) as per the manufacturer's protocols.

Techniques: Ubiquitin Proteomics, Immunoprecipitation, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Immunofluorescence, Reverse Transcription, Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Fractionation, Over Expression, Functional Assay, Transfection, Construct

Journal: Clinical and Translational Medicine

Article Title: Targeting KIF23 inhibits cell proliferation and primary chemoresistance in cervical cancer by inactivating the MYH9/MCM2/PCNA pathway

doi: 10.1002/ctm2.70652

Figure Lengend Snippet: KIF23 induces K48‐linked deubiquitination of MYH9 through recruitment of USP7. (A) Western blotting (WB) analysis of MYH9 protein stability at different time points following cycloheximide (CHX) treatment in control and KIF23 KO groups. (B) CHX chase assay examining the regulation of MYH9 protein stability by USP7 overexpression (oe‐ USP7 ). (C) Effect of MG132 treatment (12 h) on MYH9 protein stability in KIF23 KO CC cells and their controls. (D) Co‐IP and WB analyses of the effect of KIF23 KO on MYH9 ubiquitination levels after 12 h of MG132 treatment. (E) Co‐IP and WB assays assessing the effects of control, KIF23 KO and KIF23 KO combined with USP7 overexpression (KO‐ KIF23 + oe‐ USP7 ) on MYH9 ubiquitination after 12 h of MG132 treatment in SIHA (left) and C33A (right) cells.

Article Snippet: CC cells were transfected with plasmid constructs encoding USP7 (Miaoling Biology), MYH9 (Vigene Biosciences), MCM2 (Miaoling Biology) and USP15 (Miaoling Biology) using Lipofectamine 3000 (model L2000‐015; Invitrogen) as per the manufacturer's protocols.

Techniques: Western Blot, Control, Over Expression, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Ubiquitin Proteomics

Journal: PLOS Biology

Article Title: USP7 facilitates brain tumor survival upon glucose deprivation by regulating phosphofructokinase muscle-type nuclear translocation in mice

doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003698

Figure Lengend Snippet: IP and IB analyses were performed with indicated antibodies. Data are representative of at least three independent experiments. (A) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-USP7. The cells were treated with or without GD for 6h and then Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (B) HEK293T cells were infected with the lentivirus expressing shNT or shUSP7 and then transfected with HA-Ub and SFB-PFKM. The cells were treated with or without GD for 6h and then Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (C) PFKM-depleted U87 cells reconstituted with rPFKM WT or K615R were infected with the lentivirus expressing shNT or shUSP7. Cells were treated with GD for 6h. Cytosolic (Cyto) and nuclear (Nuc) fractions were prepared. (D) PFKM-depleted U87 cells reconstituted with rPFKM WT or K615R were infected with the lentivirus expressing shNT or shUSP7. Cells were treated with GD for 48 h. Cell viability was determined using trypan blue staining. Data represent the mean ± SD of the viability of the cells from three independent experiments (two-tailed Student t test). (E–G) U87/EGFRvIII cells-depleted of endogenous PFKM and reconstituted with either rPFKM WT or the K615R mutant (2 × 10 5 per mouse) were intracranially injected into randomized athymic nude mice (five mice per group) and then treated with or without P22077 (15 mg/kg/daily). Bioluminescence imaging of tumor growth were carried out. Representative real-time images were presented and the intensities of luciferase were quantified using living image software (PerkinElmer) (E, F) . Data represent the mean ± SD of luciferase intensity of five mice per group (two-tailed Student t test). Survival durations of these implanted mice were compared (Log-rank test) (G) . The data underlying this Figure can be found in and .

Article Snippet: The PFK2 inhibitor-3PO (HY-19824), USP7 inhibitor- P22077 (HY-13865), glutaminase inhibitor BPTES (HY-12683) and FAO inhibitor Etomoxir (HY-50202) were purchased from MCE (MedChemExpress, China).

Techniques: Transfection, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Infection, Expressing, Staining, Two Tailed Test, Mutagenesis, Injection, Imaging, Luciferase, Software

Journal: PLOS Biology

Article Title: USP7 facilitates brain tumor survival upon glucose deprivation by regulating phosphofructokinase muscle-type nuclear translocation in mice

doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003698

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-USP7 and then treated with GD for 6 h. SFB-PFKM is immunoprecipitated using Flag beads and the precipitate is incubated with or without F-2,6-BP/Citrate/AMP/ADP/ATP (100 μM). (B) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-USP7. The cells were supplemented with or without F-2,6-BP (100 μM) by electroporation and then treated with or without GD for 6 h. Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (C) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-Ub. The cells were supplemented with or without F-2,6-BP (100 μM) by electroporation and then treated with or without GD for 6 h. Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (D) U87 cells were treated with or without GD for 6 h. The cell lysis were collected for measurement of F-2,6-BP concentrations as determined by F-2,6-BP assay kit (Huabang Biotechnology, China). (E) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-USP7 and then treated with or without 3PO (20 μM, 12 h). Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (F) HEK293T cells were transfected with SFB-PFKM and HA-Ub and then treated with or without 3PO (20 μM, 12 h). Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (G) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-USP7 and Flag-PFKM WT or F639L and then treated with GD for 6 h. Co-IP experiment was performed with anti-Flag antibody. (H) HEK293T cells were transfected with either HA-USP7 or Flag-PFKM and treated with GD for 6 h. Following this, Flag-PFKM and HA-USP7 were immunoprecipitated and purified from the respective cell lysates. For the pull-down assay, the purified Flag-PFKM was first pre-incubated with F-2,6-BP. After removing unbound F-2,6-BP through washing, it was then mixed with HA-USP7 to proceed with the pull-down assay. (I) HEK293T cells were transfected with either HA-USP7 or Flag-PFKM and treated with GD for 6 h. Following this, Flag-PFKM and HA-USP7 were immunoprecipitated and purified from the respective cell lysates. For the pull-down assay, the purified HA-USP7 was first pre-incubated with F-2,6-BP. After removing unbound F-2,6-BP through washing, it was then mixed with Flag-PFKM to proceed with the pull-down assay. The data underlying this Figure can be found in and .

Article Snippet: The PFK2 inhibitor-3PO (HY-19824), USP7 inhibitor- P22077 (HY-13865), glutaminase inhibitor BPTES (HY-12683) and FAO inhibitor Etomoxir (HY-50202) were purchased from MCE (MedChemExpress, China).

Techniques: Transfection, Immunoprecipitation, Incubation, Electroporation, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Lysis, Purification, Pull Down Assay

Journal: PLOS Biology

Article Title: USP7 facilitates brain tumor survival upon glucose deprivation by regulating phosphofructokinase muscle-type nuclear translocation in mice

doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003698

Figure Lengend Snippet: USP7 interacts with PFKM regulated by F-2,6-BP, resulting in the ubiquitination of PFKM K615 after GD treatment. Deubiquitinated PFKM translocates into nucleus and interacts with c-Myc. PFKM facilitates c-MYC binding to CPT1B promoter and promotes transcription of CPT1B, thereby enhancing FAO and cell survival.

Article Snippet: The PFK2 inhibitor-3PO (HY-19824), USP7 inhibitor- P22077 (HY-13865), glutaminase inhibitor BPTES (HY-12683) and FAO inhibitor Etomoxir (HY-50202) were purchased from MCE (MedChemExpress, China).

Techniques: Ubiquitin Proteomics, Binding Assay