840-MYC-USP10-SOX4 Axis in Thymocyte Development

This research identifies the deubiquitinase USP10 as a vital regulator of T cell development and a key driver of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). By analyzing mouse models and human clinical samples, the authors demonstrate that USP10 stabilizes the transcription factor SOX4, preventing its degradation to ensure the rapid proliferation of thymocytes. The study reveals a genetic circuit where MYC signaling induces USP10 expression, which in turn sustains the cellular expansion necessary for immune maturation or, when dysregulated, malignant transformation. Crucially, the authors found that pharmacological inhibition of USP10 effectively slows the progression of leukemia in mice. These findings position USP10 as a promising therapeutic target for treating aggressive blood cancers while offering new insights into the molecular mechanics of the immune system.

References:

• Zhang M, Wu H, Lin X, et al. MYC-induced USP10 stabilizes SOX4 to promote thymocyte proliferation and leukemia onset in mice[J]. Nature Communications, 2026.