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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

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Paclitaxel promotes mTOR signaling-mediated apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by targeting MUC20

Meng Li1,2, Zhen Feng1,2, Rui Han3

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.

Thoracic Cancer
|September 29, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Paclitaxel induces apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by upregulating MUC20, which activates mTOR signaling. This pathway, involving PKM2, offers a therapeutic target for esophageal cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Esophageal cancer remains a significant health concern.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance is crucial.
  • Mucins, like MUC20, play diverse roles in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MUC20 in paclitaxel-induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in this process.
  • To evaluate MUC20 as a potential therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR)
  • Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay
  • Western blotting
  • Flow cytometry
  • In vivo studies using a nude mouse model

Main Results:

  • Paclitaxel treatment significantly upregulated MUC20 expression in esophageal cancer cells.
  • Both paclitaxel and MUC20 overexpression reduced cell viability and enhanced apoptosis.
  • mTOR signaling pathway activation and downstream PKM2 upregulation were observed.
  • Inhibition of mTOR signaling attenuated paclitaxel's effects.
  • Tumor growth was suppressed in vivo with MUC20 overexpression.

Conclusions:

  • MUC20 is a key mediator of paclitaxel's anti-cancer effects in esophageal cancer.
  • Paclitaxel promotes apoptosis via MUC20-mediated activation of the mTOR signaling pathway.
  • Targeting MUC20 and the mTOR pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy.
Keywords:
MUC20drug targetesophageal cancermTOR signalingpaclitaxel

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