EPAS1, a hypoxia‐ and ferroptosis‐related gene, promotes malignant behaviour of cervical cancer by ceRNA and super‐enhancer

Abstract

Hypoxia and Ferroptosis are associated with the malignant behaviour of cervical cancer. Endothelial PAS domain‐containing protein 1 (EPAS1) contributes to the progression of cervical cancer. EPAS1 plays important roles in hypoxia and ferroptosis. Using the GEO dataset, machine‐learning algorithms were used to screen for hypoxia‐ and ferroptosis‐related genes (HFRGs) in cervical cancer. EPAS1 was identified as the hub gene. qPCR and WB were used to investigate the expression of EPAS1 in normal and cervical cancer tissues. The proliferation, invasion and migration of EPAS1 cells in HeLa and SiHa cell lines were detected using CCK8, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. A dual‐luciferase assay was used to analyse the MALAT1‐miR‐182‐5P‐EPAS1 mRNA axis and core promoter elements of the super‐enhancer. EPAS1 was significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues. EPAS1 could increase the proliferation, invasion, migration of HeLa and SiHa cells and reduce the apoptosis of HeLa and SiHa cell. According to the double‐luciferase assay, EPAS1 expression was regulated by the MALAT1‐Mir‐182‐5p‐EPAS1 mRNA axis. EPAS1 is associated with super‐enhancers. Double‐luciferase assay showed that the core elements of the super‐enhancer were E1 and E3. EPAS1, an HFRG, is significantly overexpressed in cervical cancer. EPAS1 promotes malignant behaviour of cervical cancer cells. EPAS1 expression is regulated by super‐enhancers and the MALAT1‐miR‐182‐5P‐ EPAS1 mRNA axis. EPAS1 may be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.