PTPRJ is downregulated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Anirban Roychowdhury1, Mukta Basu, Debolina Pal
1Department of Oncogene Regulation, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata 700 026, India. ckpanda.cnci@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (CSCC) is one of the leading causes of death in Indian women. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor (PTPR) type J (also known as DEP1) is a recently reported tumour suppressor receptor phosphatase. Critical molecular analysis of PTPRJ/DEP1 (11p11.2) has not performed in CSCC to date. Here, we observed frequent downregulation of cancer samples (n=31) at the transcriptional level. Immunohistochemistry revealed concordant low expression of PTPRJ protein with a few samples showing intermediate expression. To probe for the cause of such downregulation of the gene in CSCC (n=155), we analysed the copy number and promoter methylation of PTPRJ. The genetic locus showed deletion (14.8%) and the promoter showed methylation (33.5%) of PTPRJ. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time we explored the molecular status of PTPRJ although we observed no statistically significant association with the prognosis of Indian CSCC patients (n=76). However, we observed enhanced expression of PTPRJ protein levels that contributes to effective cisplatin chemotherapy in the SiHa cell line. Thus, the present study paves the way for further research into the plausible mechanisms of downregulation of PTPRJ in cervical cancer.
Insights
Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor J (PTPRJ) is downregulated in cervical cancer due to gene deletion and promoter methylation. Enhanced PTPRJ expression improved cisplatin chemotherapy response in cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a significant cause of mortality in Indian women.
- The tumor suppressor gene Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor J (PTPRJ/DEP1) has not been molecularly characterized in CSCC.
- Understanding PTPRJ's role could reveal new therapeutic targets for cervical cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular status and expression of PTPRJ in Indian CSCC patients.
- To determine the association between PTPRJ alterations and clinical prognosis.
- To explore the functional role of PTPRJ in response to cisplatin chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptional analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed on CSCC samples (n=31).
- Copy number variation and promoter methylation analysis of PTPRJ were conducted in a larger cohort (n=155).
- Statistical analysis assessed the correlation between PTPRJ status and patient prognosis (n=76).
- Functional assays were performed in the SiHa cell line to evaluate PTPRJ's effect on cisplatin sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Frequent downregulation of PTPRJ mRNA and protein expression was observed in CSCC samples.
- Genetic alterations including deletion (14.8%) and promoter methylation (33.5%) were identified as mechanisms for PTPRJ downregulation.
- No statistically significant association was found between PTPRJ molecular status and patient prognosis.
- Increased PTPRJ expression enhanced the efficacy of cisplatin chemotherapy in the SiHa cell line.
Conclusions:
- PTPRJ is frequently downregulated in cervical cancer through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms.
- While not directly linked to prognosis in this cohort, PTPRJ modulation may influence chemotherapy response.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of PTPRJ in cervical cancer pathogenesis and its therapeutic potential.
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