Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
07:29

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Overexpression of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 exerts antitumor effect on oral cancer cell lines

Shin-ichi Kawaguchi1, Koji Harada, Supriatno

  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.

Oral Oncology
|September 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Overexpressing the tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) gene inhibits oral cancer cell growth. This antitumor effect occurs regardless of p27(Kip1) protein levels, suggesting TSC2

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) gene mutations are linked to tuberous sclerosis.
  • TSC2 encodes tuberin, crucial for p27(Kip1)-mediated cell cycle regulation.
  • Oral cancer progression may involve dysregulated cell cycle control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of TSC2 gene overexpression on oral cancer cell growth.
  • To determine if p27(Kip1) protein levels influence TSC2's impact on oral cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Constructed a pcDNA3.1 expression vector with sense-oriented rat TSC2 cDNA.
  • Transfected oral cancer cell lines (B88t with high p27(Kip1), HI with low p27(Kip1)) to overexpress TSC2.
  • Evaluated the in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory effects of TSC2 overexpression.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of TSC2 significantly inhibited the growth of both B88t and HI oral cancer cells.
  • The growth inhibitory effect of TSC2 was observed in both in vitro and in vivo models.
  • TSC2 overexpression demonstrated an antitumor effect irrespective of the initial p27(Kip1) protein expression levels.

Conclusions:

  • Overexpression of TSC2 exerts a potent antitumor effect on oral cancer cells.
  • The therapeutic potential of TSC2 in oral cancer is independent of p27(Kip1) expression levels.
  • Targeting TSC2 warrants further investigation for oral cancer treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

Translationally-Relevant Tumor Resection Model for Murine Preclinical Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma07:59

Translationally-Relevant Tumor Resection Model for Murine Preclinical Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 3, 2026

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma12:03

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: July 25, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...