P38 stabilizes Snail by suppressing DyRK2-mediated phosphorylation that is required for GSK3b-BTRCP–induced snail degradation

Snail is a key regulator of epithelial–mesenchymal tran-tively suppressed DYRK2-mediated Ser104 phosphoryla-sition (EMT), which is a major step in tumor metastasis. tion, which is critical for GSK3b-dependent Snail phosphor-Although the induction of Snail transcription precedes EMT, ylation and bTrCP-mediated Snail ubiquitination and deg-posttranslational regulation, especially phosphorylation of radation. Importantly, functional studies and analysis of Snail, is critical for determining Snail protein levels or clinical samples established a crucial role for the p38–Snail stability, subcellular localization, and the ability to induce axis in regulating ovarian cancer EMT and metastasis. These EMT. To date, several kinases are known that enhance the results indicate the potential therapeutic value of targeting stability of Snail by preventing its ubiquitination; however, the p38–Snail axis in ovarian cancer. the molecular mechanism(s) underlying this are still unclear. Here, we identified p38 MAPK as a crucial post-Significance: These findings identify p38 MAPK as a novel translational regulator that enhances the stability of Snail. regulator of Snail protein stability and potential therapeutic p38 directly phosphorylated Snail at Ser107, and this effec-target in ovarian cancer.