The role and therapeutic value of NUSAP1 in human cancers

Sep 23, 2026

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Cancer incidence continues to rise, making early diagnosis and effective treatment essential. Nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) functions as a key mitotic regulator by binding microtubules and promoting their proper attachment to chromosomes, supporting accurate genetic material segregation. Located at chromosome 15q15.1 and expressed in proliferating cells, NUSAP1 suggests an oncogenic contribution across multiple tumor types. It also has potential as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis; this review summarizes its roles and underlying mechanisms in human cancers.

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Abstract

Introduction

Xu etal. Journal of Translational Medicine (2025) 23:725 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06746-2](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06746-2) Journal of Translational Medicine REVIEW Open Access The role and therapeutic value of NUSAP1 in human cancers Shenyuan Xu1,2†, Ding Nan1,3†, Ruiqi Liu4†, Chenting Liu1,2, Yuefeng Hu1,2, Luanluan Huang1, Xiaoyan Chen1, Hailong Sheng1*, Yanwei Lu1,3* and Haibo Zhang1,3* Abstract In recent years, the incidence of cancer has increased, and early diagnosis and treatment are key to cancer treatment. Nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) is a crucial mitotic regulator. NUSAP1 binds to microtubules and mediates their attachment to chromosomes, ensuring the accurate distribution of genetic material to the two daughter cells. NUSAP1 is located on chromosome 15q15 .1 and is typically expressed in proliferating cells, suggesting a potential oncogenic role. Studies have shown that NUSAP1 plays a significant role in various cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, NUSAP1 may serve as a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, we discuss the roles and mechanisms of NUSAP1 in human cancers. Keywords NUSAP1, Cancer, Diagnosis, Biomarker Introduction Nucleolar and spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1), also known as ANKT, PRO0310p1, and BM037, is located on chromosome 15q15.1 [1]. In 2003, while observing and analyzing mammalian cells under a microscope, Raemaekers et al. discovered that NUSAP1 was mainly localized in nucleoli during interphase and prominently †Shenyuan Xu, Ding Nan, and Ruiqi Liu contributed equally to this study. *Correspondence: Hailong Sheng [zea974606755@163.com](zea974606755@163.com)[ ](zea974606755@163.com)Yanwei Lu[luyanwei@hmc.edu.cn](luyanwei@hmc.edu.cn)[ ](luyanwei@hmc.edu.cn)Haibo Zhang [zhbdoctor@163.com](zhbdoctor@163.com) 1 Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 2 Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 3 The Second Clinical Medical College, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 4 Department of Pathology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China localized to central spindle microtubules during mitosis [2]. Its mRNA and protein levels peak during the G2/M phase and then decline considerably after cell division [2]. NUSAP1 is a novel 55-kD vertebrate protein and a cell-cycle-related protein, with selective expression in proliferating cells [3]. NUSAP1 stability is regulated by at least two E3 ubiquitin ligases: the APC/C complex in the G1 phase and the SCF-Cyclin F complex in the S/G2 phase [4, 5]. Mills et al. further discovered that NUSAP1 localizes to dynamic spindle microtubules near chromatin, where it acts as a cofactor for the SUMO E3 ligase complex composed of Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2), RanGAP1, and UBC9 [4]. NUSAP1 regulates microtubules by modulating the depolymerization activity of MCAK [6]. NUSAP1 modulates cell division by interacting with microtubules through its C-terminal domain [7]. The N-terminal region of NUSAP1 has a distinctive SAP domain (Fig. 1), which participates in transcription, DNA repair, and RNA processing [7, 8]. This SAP domain exhibits a predilection for double-stranded DNA, thereby facilitating NUSAP1’s attachment to chromosomes [9]. © The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission und

FAQs

What is NUSAP1 and why is it important for cancer progression?

NUSAP1 is a mitotic regulator that binds microtubules and helps attach them to chromosomes, supporting accurate cell division. Because it is expressed in proliferating cells, it is linked to oncogenic roles in multiple cancers.

Where is NUSAP1 located in the genome and when is it expressed?

NUSAP1 is located at chromosome 15q15.1. Its mRNA and protein levels peak during the G2/M phase and decrease after cell division.

How might NUSAP1 be used clinically in cancer?

NUSAP1 may serve as a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, reflecting its involvement in tumor biology and cell-cycle regulation.

Sep 23, 2026

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