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Metformin inhibits mTOR and c-Myc by decreasing YAP protein expression in OSCC cells

Ying Wang1, Yafei Zhang1, Xiaomei Feng1

  • 1Department of Implantology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|March 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, suppresses oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by inhibiting Yes-associated protein (YAP). This action impacts cell cycle, apoptosis, and key proteins like mTOR and c-Myc, offering a new therapeutic avenue for OSCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Metformin exhibits anticancer properties against various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  • The role of Yes-associated protein (YAP), crucial in OSCC development, in metformin's anticancer effects remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular interplay between metformin and YAP in OSCC cells.
  • To elucidate how metformin influences YAP-mediated pathways in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • OSCC cell lines (CAL27, SCC25) were treated with metformin.
  • Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8 and flow cytometry.
  • Protein levels of YAP, mTOR, p-mTOR, and c-Myc were analyzed via western blotting.

Main Results:

  • Metformin altered the cell cycle and apoptosis in OSCC cells.
  • Modulating YAP expression affected metformin's impact on cell cycle and apoptosis.
  • Metformin reduced YAP, mTOR, p-mTOR, and c-Myc protein levels; YAP overexpression counteracted this effect.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin suppresses OSCC by inhibiting YAP protein expression.
  • Metformin targets YAP-mediated signaling, affecting mTOR and c-Myc pathways.
  • These findings highlight YAP as a potential mediator of metformin's anticancer activity in OSCC.
Keywords:
oral squamous cell carcinomaYes-associated proteinmammalian target of rapamycinc-Myc

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