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Updated: Nov 7, 2025

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MRE11 promotes oral cancer progression through RUNX2/CXCR4/AKT/FOXA2 signaling in a nuclease-independent manner

Yen-Yun Wang1,2,3,4, Yuk-Kwan Chen1,4,5,6, Steven Lo7

  • 1School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Oncogene
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

MRE11 protein is crucial for oral cancer progression, acting independently of its DNA repair function to drive metastasis. Targeting MRE11 offers a new therapeutic strategy for oral cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 complex is vital for DNA double-strand break repair in normal cells.
  • MRE11 (Meiotic Recombination 11) is increasingly recognized for its role in solid tumor development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MRE11 in oral cancer progression.
  • To identify MRE11's downstream effectors and mechanisms in oral cancer.
  • To evaluate MRE11 as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in oral cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MRE11 expression in oral cancer patient samples.
  • Assessment of MRE11's functional roles in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and radioresistance using in vitro and in vivo models.
  • Investigation of downstream signaling pathways including RUNX2, CXCR4, AKT, and FOXA2.
  • Evaluation of CXCR4 neutralizing antibody efficacy.

Main Results:

  • MRE11 expression correlates positively with tumor size, stage, and lymph node metastasis.
  • MRE11 predicts poorer patient survival and radiotherapy resistance.
  • MRE11 promotes oral cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in a nuclease-independent manner.
  • MRE11 enhances radioresistance through a nuclease-dependent pathway.
  • Nuclease-independent promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis is mediated by RUNX2, CXCR4, AKT, and FOXA2.
  • CXCR4 inhibition reduced MRE11-driven metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • MRE11 plays a critical role in oral cancer progression through both nuclease-dependent and independent mechanisms.
  • MRE11 is a significant prognostic biomarker for oral cancer.
  • Targeting MRE11 and its downstream effectors like CXCR4 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for oral cancer.

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