Title:IMPDH2 Positively Impacts the Proliferation Potential of Hepatoblastoma Cells
by Activating JunB Signaling Pathway
Volume: 17
Author(s): Li Yuan*, Liang Zeng, Feng Ye, Kai Chen, Zhengrong Chen and Liping Li
Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Central, Guangzhou 510623, China
Keywords:
IMPDH2, JunB, Hepatoblastoma, Proliferation, In vitro, In vivo.
Abstract:
Background:
Amplification of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase II, EC 1,1,1,205 (IMPDH2) has been reported in various cancers, which results in
transformation and tumorigenicity. In our current work, we have explored the oncogenic properties and the underlying pathophysiology of
IMPDH2 in hepatoblastoma (HB).
Methods:
To investigate IMPDH2 expression in HB tissues and prognostic significance in HB patients, gene expression profiling interactive analysis
(GEPIA) has been adopted. Immunohistochemistry has also helped to validate the protein expression of IMPDH2 in HB tissues. The effect of
IMPDH2 overexpression or depletion on the proliferation of Hepatoblastoma cells in vitro has been evaluated by CCK8 assays and colony
formation assays. Xenograft tumor growth of mice has been detected. Luciferase reporter assays have been conducted to determine the interaction
of IMPDH2 and JunB, which was further asserted by pharmacological inhibition of JunB.
Results:
IMPDH2 was highly expressed in HB tissues. Experimentally, the proliferation and colony formation of HuH6 cells were increased by IMPDH2
overexpression. Conversely, genetic inactivation of IMPDH2 impaired the proliferative efficiency and colony-forming rate of HepG2 cells.
Besides, the luciferase reporter assay validated IMPDH2 overexpression to be associated with enhanced JunB transcriptional activity, while its
activity was diminished in the case of IMPDH2 depletion. JunB inhibitor neutralized the IMPDH2-mediated increased phosphorylation of JunB.
Conclusion:
Our findings, thus, suggest that IMPDH2 exhibits its oncogenic role in HB partially via JunB-dependent proliferation.
