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Rab22a Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma by Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR
Xue Luo1, Jinping Wang1, Jinxi Lu1
1Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Biomed Research International
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Rab22a, a protein linked to cancer, promotes thyroid cancer growth and spread by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This finding offers new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for thyroid cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rab22a, a RAS superfamily member, is implicated in endosome formation and vesicle transport.
- Rab22a is frequently upregulated in various malignant tumors.
- The role of Rab22a in thyroid cancer remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of Rab22a in thyroid cancer.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Rab22a's role in thyroid cancer progression.
- To explore Rab22a as a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of Rab22a in 101 thyroid cancer patient samples.
- Manipulation of Rab22a expression in thyroid cancer cell lines to assess effects on proliferation, invasion, and migration.
- Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to identify interacting proteins, specifically PI3Kp85α.
- Western blot analysis to study the impact of Rab22a on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Main Results:
- Rab22a was significantly overexpressed in thyroid cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.
- Overexpression of Rab22a enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells.
- Knockdown of Rab22a inhibited these cancer cell behaviors.
- Rab22a was found to interact with PI3K85α and activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
- Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 significantly reduced Rab22a's pro-tumorigenic effects.
Conclusions:
- Rab22a promotes EMT, proliferation, migration, and invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
- Rab22a represents a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.
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