Fig. 7: Schematic model depicting NY-ESO-1-mediated anoikis resistance and tumor metastasis, as well as substrate expansion for OTUB1.

A NY-ESO-1 interacts with PP1α and employs the deubiquitinase OTUB1 to reduce its polyubiquitin modification. This leads to PP1α protein stabilization, enhanced ERK1/2 activation, and consequently, increased anoikis resistance and tumor metastasis. B NY-ESO-1 acts as an adaptor protein that recruits unconventional substrates, such as PP1α, to OTUB1 or other deubiquitinases like USP11, USP9X, and USP5. This results in the formation of the DUB complex, which effectively prevents these unconventional substrates from being ubiquitinated.