Centromere protein U (CENPU) promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and glycolysis by regulating high mobility group box 2 (HMGB2)

Abstract

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancy with a leading mortality rate worldwide. Despite the progress in the diagnosis and therapeutic strategy, the associated mortality is still growing. It is of great significance to understand molecular mechanisms of the development of gastric cancer. Glycolysis is a main source of ATP provision for cancer cells including gastric cancer, and targeting glycolysis is a promising therapeutic strategy. Centromere protein U (CENPU) has been found to be overexpressed in many types of cancer. Downregulation of CENPU suppresses the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. High mobility group box 2 (HMGB2) is identified as a biomarker to diagnose of gastric cancer. Knockdown of HMGB2 inhibits proliferation and glycolysis in gastric cancer cells. In this work, we identified that CENPU was upregulated in gastric cancer. Knockdown of CENPU was able to suppress the proliferation and glycolysis of gastric cancer cells. Further the results showed that the anti-cancer effect of CENPU was HMGB2-dependent. Taken together, CENPU is an upstream factor of HMGB2, which regulates proliferation and glycolysis of gastric cancer.

CENPU affects the paclitaxel resistance of cervical cancer cells by regulating the FOXM1/ABCC5 pathway

“…Subsequent western blot analysis confirmed the upregulated expression of CENPU in these resistant cells. High CENPU expression has been observed in various cancer types, including CC [18], hepatocellular carcinoma [19], and gastric cancer [20], suggesting a potential role in driving tumorigenesis. Additionally, previous research has linked CENPU to cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis [18][19][20].…”

“…High CENPU expression has been observed in various cancer types, including CC [18], hepatocellular carcinoma [19], and gastric cancer [20], suggesting a potential role in driving tumorigenesis. Additionally, previous research has linked CENPU to cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis [18][19][20]. Consistent with these findings, in our present study, we conducted CCK8, colony formation and flow cytometry assays, which collectively demonstrated enhanced cell growth and reduced cell apoptosis in HeLa/PTX and SiHa/PTX cells with elevated CENPU levels, thereby suggesting that paclitaxel-resistant CC cells exhibit increased tumor cell viability, a characteristic potentially associated with CENPU levels.…”