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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
Enrichment for Chemoresistant Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells from Human Cell Lines
Published on: September 10, 2014
TRRAP stimulates the tumorigenic potential of ovarian cancer stem cells
Kyung Taek Kang1, Yang Woo Kwon1, Dae Kyoung Kim1
1Departments of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea.
Abstract:
Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecological malignancy in women and identification of new therapeutic targets is essential for the continued development of therapy for ovarian cancer. TRRAP (transformation/transcription domain-associated protein) is an adaptor protein and a component of histone acetyltransferase complex. The present study was undertaken to investigate the roles played by TRRAP in the proliferation and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer stem cells. TRRAP expression was found to be up-regulated in the sphere cultures of A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Knockdown of TRRAP significantly decreased cell proliferation and the number of A2780 spheroids. In addition, TRRAP knockdown induced cell cycle arrest and increased apoptotic percentages of A2780 sphere cells. Notably, the mRNA levels of stemness-associated markers, that is, OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, were suppressed in TRRAP-silenced A2780 sphere cells. In addition, TRRAP overexpression increased the mRNA level of NANOG and the transcriptional activity of NANOG promoter in these cells. Furthermore, TRRAP knockdown significantly reduced tumor growth in a murine xenograft transplantation model. Taken together, the findings of the present study suggest that TRRAP plays an important role in the regulation of the proliferation and stemness of ovarian cancer stem cells. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(10): 515-520].
Insights
Transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) is crucial for ovarian cancer stem cell growth. Inhibiting TRRAP reduces tumor proliferation, stemness, and promotes apoptosis, highlighting TRRAP as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Stem Cell Research
Background:
- Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in women.
- Identifying novel therapeutic targets is critical for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
- Transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) is a component of histone acetyltransferase complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TRRAP in the proliferation and tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer stem cells.
- To explore TRRAP's influence on stemness-associated markers and cell cycle regulation in ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- TRRAP expression analysis in ovarian cancer cell sphere cultures.
- TRRAP knockdown and overexpression experiments in A2780 ovarian cancer cells.
- Assessment of cell proliferation, spheroid formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and stemness marker expression (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG).
- In vivo tumor growth evaluation using a murine xenograft model.
Main Results:
- TRRAP expression was upregulated in ovarian cancer stem cell spheres.
- TRRAP knockdown significantly reduced cell proliferation, spheroid formation, and tumor growth.
- TRRAP silencing induced cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and suppressed stemness markers (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG).
- TRRAP overexpression enhanced NANOG expression and promoter activity.
Conclusions:
- TRRAP plays a significant role in regulating the proliferation and stemness of ovarian cancer stem cells.
- TRRAP is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment.
- Targeting TRRAP may offer a novel strategy to combat ovarian cancer by inhibiting stem cell properties.
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