NDRG1 regulates osteosarcoma cells via mediating the mitochondrial function and CSCs differentiation

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are mainly contributed to malignancy metastatic potential and resistant therapy of osteosarcoma (OS). The mitochondria-related apoptosis was generally accepted as the target of tumor therapy. However, the effect of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) on CSCs and mitochondrial health in OS is still unknown.

In OS cells, MG63 and U2OS, the siRNA of NDRG1 were conducted. Transwell, western blot, RT-qPCR, and mitochondria isolation were used to identify the effect of NDRG on OS cells and mitochondria. Moreover, the differentiation-related factors of CSCs were determined.

After downregulation of NDRG1, the cell viability, invasion ability decreased whereas cell apoptosis increased. The expressions profiles of fibronectin, vimentin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9, and MMP13 were downregulated, but E-cadherin expression level was upregulated by NDRG1 siRNA. At the same time, cytochrome (Cyt) C levels were increased in cytosol with the decreasing in mitochondria after siRNA treatment. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMPs) was declined, and the function of mitochondria was impeded. The expressions of uncoupling proteins (UCP) 2, voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α, and cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 were downregulated by NDRG1 silencing. Moreover, NDRG performed its function primarily through the Wnt pathway and could regulate the differentiation of osteosarcoma stem cells.

Silencing of NDRG1 could damage the function of mitochondria, promote the CSCs differentiation, alleviating OS progression.