Ubiquitination-Binding Enzyme 2C is Associated with Cancer Development and Prognosis and is a Potential Therapeutic Target

Sep 21, 2026

UBE2C (ubiquitination-binding enzyme 2C) is an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that functions within the ubiquitin proteasome system, where it regulates cell cycle progression. It is highly expressed and is implicated in high-incidence and high-mortality malignancies, including lung, breast, and esophageal cancers. UBE2C contributes to tumor invasion, metastasis, proliferation, and drug resistance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on UBE2C structure and function, evaluates it as a therapeutic target, and proposes future research directions, including biomarker roles and mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment.

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Introduction

UBE2C Regulates Cell Cycle Progression

OncoTargets and Therapy Dovepress Open Access Full Text Article REVIEW Ubiquitination-Binding Enzyme 2C is Associated with Cancer Development and Prognosis and is a Potential Therapeutic Target Mengjie Zhao 1 , 2 , *, Jielong Li 1 , 2 , *, Rui Wang 1 , 2 , Lida Mi 1 , 2 , Yan Gu2 , Rongjin Chen 1 , Yangyang Li 1 , 2 , Woda Shi2 , Yajun Zhang2 1Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital 6 of Nantong University, The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yancheng Third People’s Hospital, Yancheng, 224000, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence: Woda Shi; Yajun Zhang, [Email ycsyswd@vip.163.com](Email ycsyswd@vip.163.com); [13770067799@163.com](13770067799@163.com) | Abstract: UBE2C (Ubiquitination-binding enzyme 2C), one of the E2 enzymes encoded in the human genome, is a component of the ubiquitin proteasome system and plays a pivotal role in regulating cell cycle progression. Moreover, UBE2C is highly expressed and may play a pivotal role in both high-incidence and high-mortality malignancies, including lung cancers, breast cancers, and esophageal cancers. UBE2C influences a number of key processes, including cell cycle progression, tumor invasion and metastasis, proliferation, and drug resistance. However, few articles have systematically summarized the role of UBE2C in cancer. The aim of this review is to describe the structure and function of UBE2C, focusing on the current status of UBE2C research in malignant tumors. Furthermore, this review presents the potential of UBE2C as a new therapeutic target and a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Finally, future research directions for UBE2C are proposed. It is of great value to explore the mechanism of action of UBE2C in the tumor microenvironment (TME) . A comprehensive and coherent comprehension of UBE2C will undoubtedly facilitate its transition from fundamental research to clinical applications.
Keywords: UBE2C, Biomarker, Therapeutic target, Prognosis, Invasion | | --- | | Introduction
UBE2C, one of the E2 enzymes in the human genome, functions as a crucial component of the ubiquitin proteasome system, 1 Protein degradation commences with the ubiquitination of damaged proteins, an ATP-dependent process involving three enzyme types: ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2), and ubiquitin ligases (E3) . First, a ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 hydrolyses the ATP and then adenylates one ubiquitin molecule. Later, this ubiquitin is translocated to the cysteine active site of E1 . Finally, adenylated ubiquitin is translocated to the second enzyme, cysteine, the ubiquitin conjugated enzyme E2 . An enzyme called ubiquitin ligase E3 recognizes the targeted protein and catalyses the translocation of the ubiquitin from E2 to the protein.2 These enzymes act systematically to polyubiquitinate substrates, targeting them for recognition and subsequent degradation by the proteasome. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a critical role in protein homeostasis and the elimination of damaged proteins.2,3 UPS dysregulation leads to the accumulation of damaged proteins that play key roles in DNA damage repair, cell differentiation, cell cycle control, apoptosis and other vital functions. This dysregulation is associated with a variety of tumors.2
UBE2C is highly conserved, and its human homolog (also known as UbcH10) was cloned in 1997.4 UBE2C consists of a conserved core domain containing the catalytic cysteine residue and an N-terminal extension. UBE2C is indispensable for disrupting mitotic cell cycle proteins and securin, crucial elements for the spindle assembly checkpoint and | Received: 26 July 2024 Accepted: 27 November 2024 Published: 7 December 2024 OncoTargets and Therapy 2024:17 1159–1171 1159 © 2024 Zhao et al. This work is published a

FAQs

What is UBE2C and what biological system does it belong to?

UBE2C is an E2 enzyme in the ubiquitin proteasome system. It supports protein ubiquitination pathways that are essential for regulating cell cycle progression.

How is UBE2C linked to cancer development and outcomes?

UBE2C is highly expressed in multiple malignancies and is associated with key tumor processes such as invasion, metastasis, proliferation, and drug resistance. It is also presented as relevant to cancer prognosis.

What does the review propose about UBE2C for clinical use?

The review evaluates UBE2C as a potential therapeutic target and as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. It also outlines future research directions, including mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment.

Sep 21, 2026

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