Nonstop mutations cause loss of renal tumor suppressor proteins VHL and BAP1 and affect multiple stages of protein translation

Sci Adv. 2025 Feb 14;11(7):eadr6375. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr6375. Epub 2025 Feb 12.

Abstract

Nonstop extension or stop-loss mutations lead to the extension of a protein at its carboxyl terminus. Recently, nonstop mutations in the tumor suppressor SMAD Family Member 4 (SMAD4) have been discovered to lead to proteasomal SMAD4 degradation. However, this mutation type has not been studied in other cancer genes. Here, we explore somatic nonstop mutations in the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) enriched in renal cell carcinoma. For BAP1, nonstop mutations generate an extremely long extension. Instead of proteasomal degradation, the extension decreases translation and depletes BAP1 messenger RNA from heavy polysomes. For VHL, the short extension leads to proteasomal degradation. Unexpectedly, the mutation alters the selection of the translational start site shifting VHL isoforms. We identify germline VHL nonstop mutations in patients leading to the early onset of severe disease manifestations. In summary, nonstop extension mutations inhibit the expression of renal tumor suppressor genes with pleiotropic effects on translation and protein stability.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Mutation*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins* / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins* / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase* / genetics
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase* / metabolism
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein* / genetics
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein* / metabolism

Substances

  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • BAP1 protein, human
  • VHL protein, human
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex