DEAH-box polypeptide 32 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via activating the β-catenin pathway

Abstract

Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is refractory cancer with high morbidity and high mortality. DEAH-box polypeptide 32 (DHX32) was upregulated in several types of malignancies and predicted poor prognosis. Herein, we investigated the role of DHX32 in HCC progression. Methods The expression of DHX32, β-catenin, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related makers were determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assays. Cell proliferation was tested by EdU cell proliferation assay. The effect of DHX32 and β-catenin on cell migration and invasion were detected by wound-healing and Traswell invasion assays. Tumour xenografts were performed to determine the effect of DHX32 on HCC tumour growth. Results High level of DHX32 expression was associated with reduced overall survival in HCC patients. DHX32 expression was upregulated in human HCC cells and ectopic expression of DHX32 induced EMT, promoted the mobility and proliferation of HCC cells, and enhanced tumour growth in vivo . Silencing DHX32 reversed EMT, inhibited the malignancy behaviors of HCC cells, and suppressed tumour growth. Mechanistically, silencing DHX32 decreased the expression of β-cateninin in nucleus and β-catenin siRNA abrogated DHX32-mediated HCC progression. Conclusion DHX32 was an attractive regulator of HCC progression and indicated DHX32 canserve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC patients.

Development and Validation of a Pyroptosis-Related Long Non-coding RNA Signature for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…As a result, early HCC is difficult to diagnose, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate is just 34–50% ( Lang et al, 2007 ). Although early HCC can be curable by resection, liver transplantation, or ablation, most patients suffer from an unresectable disease, and there remain no beneficial complete curable ways for HCC patients ( Hu et al, 2021 ). Many studies have revealed that molecular pathological subtypes and driver gene mutations significantly affect the prognosis of HCC patients.…”

“…transplantation, or ablation, most patients suffer from an unresectable disease, and there remain no beneficial complete curable ways for HCC patients (Hu et al, 2021). Many studies have revealed that molecular pathological subtypes and driver gene mutations significantly affect the prognosis of HCC patients.…”

Risk Factors and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Phase clinical trials have found that sirolimus will not improve the long-term recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate of liver transplantation in HCC patients for more than 5 years, but the advantages are significant in the first 3-5 years (142). DEAH-box polypeptide 32, PFK118-310, PFK115-584, and CGP049090 all act on the Wnt/b-Catenin pathway to treat HCC, but there is no clinical trial available to date (143,144). Combination therapy plays an important role in the treatment of HCC.…”

Long Noncoding RNA 00472: A Novel Biomarker in Human Diseases

“…Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent liver cancer type, and the third most important cause of tumor-associated mortality ( Shi et al, 2021a ; Dai et al, 2021 ; Hu et al, 2021 ). However, as a result of local recurrence and metastasis following therapy, most HCC patients exhibit limited benefits and poor outcomes ( Hu et al, 2021 ). Thus, it is vital to evaluate the pathomechanisms that contribute to HCC progression and to establish prognostic biomarkers and treatment targets.…”