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TMP21 modulates cell growth in papillary thyroid cancer cells by inducing autophagy through activation of the

Xiaobo Xu1, Hongqiang Gao2, Jian Qin1

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200011, China.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology
|December 1, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Transmembrane protein 21 (TMP21) promotes thyroid cancer cell growth by activating the AMPK/mTOR pathway and inducing autophagy. Silencing TMP21 inhibits cancer cell viability and triggers apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Thyroid cancer is a significant global health concern.
  • The role of transmembrane protein 21 (TMP21) in thyroid tumorigenesis remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding novel molecular targets is crucial for developing effective therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the function of TMP21 in human papillary thyroid cancer.
  • To investigate the impact of TMP21 modulation on cancer cell behavior.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms involving the AMPK/mTOR pathway and autophagy.

Main Methods:

  • Papillary thyroid cancer cells (TPC1) were transfected with TMP21 expression vectors or small interfering RNAs (siRNA).
  • TMP21 expression was quantified using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.
  • Cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy markers (AMPK/mTOR pathway proteins, LC3-II/LC3-I) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of TMP21 increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis, while TMP21 silencing had the opposite effect.
  • TMP21 silencing upregulated p-AMPKα(Thr172) and LC3-II/LC3-I, and downregulated p-mTOR(Ser2448) and p-S6K(Thr389).
  • Inhibition of AMPK with compound C reversed the effects of TMP21 silencing on p-AMPKα(Thr172) and LC3-II/LC3-I.

Conclusions:

  • TMP21 plays a critical role in promoting thyroid cancer cell growth.
  • TMP21 modulates cell growth by inducing autophagy, potentially through the activation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway.
  • Targeting TMP21 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for thyroid cancer.
Keywords:
AMPK/mTORThyroid cancerautophagytransmembrane protein 21

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