Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay: a key regulatory system engaged in cancer

作者：Hongyu Pan, Xinyu Wu, Bingshuang Hu, Huihua Xiong, Yao Luo, Jiankang Zhou · 发表于：Cell Communication and Signaling · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s12964-025-02503-6 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：RNA Research and Splicing、RNA regulation and disease、MicroRNA in disease regulation

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a critical cellular surveillance mechanism that prevents the translation of defective or deleterious proteins. The regulation of NMD, including both its activation and the evasion of its target mRNA, is intricately linked to tumorigenesis. When NMD becomes overactivated, it can downregulate tumor suppressor transcripts, or eliminate immunogenic peptides, thereby promoting tumor growth and immune evasion. In contrast, reduced or defective NMD can stabilize mutated oncogene transcripts and drive tumor progression. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological mechanisms of NMD, its diverse substrate features, and its regulatory dynamics. We further focus on recent advances in clarifying the interplay between NMD and tumor biology. By integrating the current findings, we aim to provide an insightful understanding of how NMD contributes to tumor initiation, tumor progression, and immune modulation.