HELQ reverses the malignant phenotype of osteosarcoma cells via CHK1-RAD51 signaling pathway

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research
• Genetics

Background:

• HELQ is a DNA helicase crucial for DNA lesion repair and implicated in various cancers.
• The specific role and mechanism of HELQ in osteosarcoma (OS) remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression and function of HELQ in osteosarcoma cells.
• To elucidate the mechanism by which HELQ influences OS progression and DNA repair.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis for gene and protein expression.
• Functional assays including Transwell invasion, wound healing, CCK8, and Comet assays.
• Genetic manipulation using shRNA-lentivirus for knock-down and lentivirus transfection for overexpression.

Main Results:

• HELQ gene and protein are expressed in OS cells.
• HELQ knockdown enhanced OS cell invasion, migration, proliferation, and DNA damage repair.
• HELQ overexpression inhibited these processes.
• Antitumor effects of HELQ are linked to upregulated CHK1 and RAD51 expression.

Conclusions:

• HELQ promotes an invasive phenotype in OS cells via the CHK1-RAD51 signaling pathway.
• HELQ represents a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma and other malignancies.