Exploring the Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets of TRIM Family in Gastrointestinal Cancer - read online free

Sep 21, 2026

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are closely linked to the ubiquitination system, where E3 ubiquitin ligases select substrates to control critical signaling outcomes. Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins function as E3 ubiquitin ligases and influence cancer signaling, development, apoptosis, and formation. By regulating diverse biological activities and signaling pathways, TRIM proteins connect molecular mechanisms to gastrointestinal tumor behavior. This review summarizes TRIM roles in GI physiology to support understanding of molecular pathways driving GI malignancies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

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Introduction

TRIM family proteins: structure and classification

RING domain and N-terminal function

Drug Design, Development and Therapy Dovepress Open Access Full Text Article REVIEW Exploring the Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Targets of TRIM Family in Gastrointestinal Cancer Chunyan Weng 1 , *, Rijuan Jin 1 , *, Xiaoliang Jin 1 , *, Zimei Yang 1 , *, Chenghai He 1 , 2 , Qiuhua Zhang 1 , Jingli Xu 1 , 3 , Bin Lv 1 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gastric Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence: Jingli Xu; Bin Lv, Email [joinleo03@163.com](joinleo03@163.com); [lvbin@medmail.com.cn](lvbin@medmail.com.cn) | Abstract: Gastrointestinal region (GI) cancers are closely linked to the ubiquitination system, with the E3 ubiquitin ligase playing a crucial role by targeting various substrates. As E3 ubiquitin ligases, proteins of tripartite motif (TRIM) family play a role in cancer signaling, development, apoptosis, and formation. These proteins regulate diverse biological activities and signaling pathways. This study comprehensively outlines the functions of TRIM proteins in gastrointestinal physiology, contributing to our knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in gastrointestinal tumors. Gastrointestinal region (GI) cancers are closely linked to the ubiquitination system, with the E3 ubiquitin ligase playing a crucial role by targeting various substrates.
Keywords: tripartite motif, E3 ubiquitin ligase, ubiquitin–proteasome system, GI cancer, molecular pathways | | --- | | Introduction
Approximately 10 million individuals succumb to malignant tumors annually worldwide, with gastrointestinal cancer standing out as a prevalent malignancy within the digestive system.1 Common gastrointestinal (GI) cancers involve tumors that impact various parts of the digestive system, such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas.2 Despite significant progress in surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate for GI cancers remains poor.3,4 It is the gradual alteration and influence of many genes that leads to the occurrence and development of GI tumors.5,6 Hence, the pursuit of diagnostic markers characterized by high sensitivity and specificity holds paramount importance in enhancing the diagnostic precision of GI cancer.
As evidence has accumulated over the past ten years, abnormal degradation of oncogenic proteins or tumor suppressors by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a significant role in GI cancer development and progression.7 It involves the work of ubiquitin-activating (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating (E2), and ubiquitin-ligating (E3) enzymes to facilitate the attachment of ubiquitin to lysine residues in proteins, step-by-step.8 In humans and mice, dozens of members of TRIM family belong to the RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases.9 Multiple research studies have shown that several TRIM family members are linked to the onset and advancement of various types of cancer.10–14 This suggests that we should comprehensively and thoroughly explore these members to gain a deeper understanding. Hence, we delve into the research progress concerning TRIMs associated with the predominant malignant neoplasm, gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) . | Received: 12 June 2024 Accepted: 23 November 2024 Published: 5 December 2024 Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2024:18 5615–5639 5615 © 2024 Weng et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available a

FAQs

What is the central focus of this review on TRIM proteins in gastrointestinal cancer?

It reviews how TRIM family E3 ubiquitin ligases influence gastrointestinal cancer development and progression by regulating signaling pathways and biological activities.

How are GI cancers connected to the ubiquitination system?

GI cancers are closely linked to ubiquitination, particularly the E1, E2, and E3 enzyme cascade that attaches ubiquitin to protein lysine residues and regulates degradation and signaling.

What structural features distinguish TRIM family proteins?

TRIM proteins share conserved N-terminal RING and B-box domains and a coiled-coil region, while C-terminal domains vary and define TRIM subfamilies.

Sep 21, 2026

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