ABSTRACT N‐terminal acetyltransferases are emerging as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. N‐alpha‐acetyltransferase 30 (NAA30), which serves as the catalytic subunit of the NATC complex. However, the role of NAA30 in ovarian cancer remains unknown. In this study, we found that NAA30 expression was abnormally upregulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Functionally, NAA30 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that NAA30 enhanced tumor growth and intraperitoneal metastasis in mouse models. We further explored the regulatory mechanisms underlying NAA30 upregulation. Dual‐luciferase assays demonstrated that the transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group C member 2 (NR2C2) significantly enhanced the transcriptional activity of the NAA30 promoter. Besides, NR2C2 increased the migratory, invasive, and proliferative capabilities of ovarian cancer cells. Importantly, NAA30 knockdown reversed the pro‐tumorigenic effects of NR2C2 overexpression on the malignant phenotype. To identify the downstream targets of NAA30, we employed IP‐LC/MS and N‐terminal acetylation modification omics. Actin‐Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 1B (ARPC1B) was identified as a direct target of NAA30. It was demonstrated that NAA30 protein binds to ARPC1B protein and that NAA30 knockdown enhanced the polyubiquitination of ARPC1B and promotes its degradation. Crucially, the re‐expression of ARPC1B in NAA30‐silenced cells effectively restored these malignant phenotypes. These findings highlight the critical role of the NR2C2‐NAA30‐ARPC1B axis in ovarian cancer progression and provide more foundation for the development of more effective treatment strategies for patients with ovarian cancer.
Xu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.