Tra2β Enhances Cell Proliferation by Inducing the Expression of Transcription Factor SP1 in Cervical Cancer

In this study, the role and potential mechanism of transformer 2β (Tra2β) in cervical cancer were explored.

The transcriptional data of Tra2β in patients with cervical cancer from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and cBioPortal databases were investigated. The functions of Tra2β were evaluated by using Western blot, MTT, colony formation, Transwell assays, and nude mouse tumor formation experiments. Target genes regulated by Tra2β were studied by RNA-seq. Subsequently, representative genes were selected for RT-qPCR, confocal immunofluorescence, Western blot, and rescue experiments to verify their regulatory relationship.

The dysregulation of Tra2β in cervical cancer samples was observed. Tra2β overexpression in Siha and Hela cells enhanced cell viability and proliferation, whereas Tra2β knockdown showed the opposite effect. Alteration of Tra2β expression did not affect cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, tumor xenograft models verified that Tra2β promoted cervical cancer growth. Mechanically, Tra2β positively regulated the mRNA and protein level of SP1, which was critical for the proliferative capability of Tra2β.

This study demonstrated the important role of the Tra2β/SP1 axis in the progression of cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of cervical cancer.