RBM17 Promotes the Chemoresistance of Oral Squamous Cancer Cells Through Checkpoint Kinase 1

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent head and neck cancer.
• Chemotherapy is a standard treatment for advanced OSCC, but drug resistance is a significant challenge.
• The role of RBM17/SPF45 in chemoresistance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of RBM17 in chemoresistance in oral cancer.
• To elucidate the mechanism by which RBM17 influences sensitivity to anticancer drugs.

Main Methods:

• Oral cancer cell lines were treated with chemotherapy drugs (fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel).
• Gene and protein expression of RBM17 were analyzed.
• RNA interference (siRNA) was used to knockdown RBM17 expression.
• Protein expression of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1) was assessed.
• The effect of a CHEK1 inhibitor was evaluated.

Main Results:

• RBM17 expression increased in response to fluorouracil and cisplatin, but not paclitaxel.
• siRNA-mediated RBM17 knockdown significantly increased sensitivity to 5-FU.
• RBM17 knockdown led to decreased CHEK1 protein expression.
• CHEK1 inhibitor treatment did not alter RBM17 protein levels.

Conclusions:

• RBM17 is implicated in the development of resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy in OSCC.
• RBM17 promotes chemoresistance by enhancing CHEK1 protein expression within the ATM/ATR pathway.
• Targeting RBM17 or CHEK1 may represent a therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance in oral cancer.