REV3L, a promising target in regulating the chemosensitivity of cervical cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• REV3L, the catalytic subunit of DNA Polymerase ζ (Polζ), is crucial for translesion synthesis (TLS), a DNA damage tolerance mechanism.
• The role of REV3L in the chemosensitivity of cervical cancer remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of REV3L in cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and response to cisplatin treatment.
• To evaluate the expression levels of Polζ protein in cervical cancer tissues.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Polζ protein expression in cervical cancer and normal tissues.
• Cervical cancer cell lines were engineered for REV3L suppression or overexpression.
• Cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis rates were analyzed.
• Expression levels of key apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bcl-xl, Bax) were examined.

Main Results:

• Polζ expression was significantly higher in cervical cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.
• REV3L depletion inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and colony formation by inducing G1 arrest.
• REV3L overexpression promoted cell proliferation and colony formation by facilitating G1 to S phase transition.
• REV3L suppression enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin, while overexpression conferred resistance, altering apoptosis rates and related protein expression.

Conclusions:

• REV3L plays a critical role in regulating cervical cancer cell proliferation and response to cisplatin.
• Targeting REV3L presents a potential therapeutic strategy to modulate chemosensitivity in cervical cancer patients.