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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Fluorescence-Based Detection of FEN1 Nuclease Activity and Screening of Small-Molecule Inhibitors
Published on: June 27, 2025
Molecular mechanism of secretory protein EFNA1 in HNSCC and its value in early screening
Yanan Fu1, Mengqiao He2, Jiayi Li1
1Department of Stomatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, China.
Background:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is an aggressive malignancy, necessitating early diagnostic biomarkers. This study explores EFNA1's role in HNSCC and its potential for early screening.
Methods:
Data from TCGA, CCLE, and Depmap databases were analyzed. Serum samples from HNSCC patients and controls were tested using ELISA. Cell proliferation, apoptosis assays, and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted. Western blotting assessed EphA2pS898, EphA2, and EFNA1's impact on the AKT/ERK1/2 pathway.
Results:
EFNA1 expression was significantly higher in HNSCC tissues compared to healthy tissues (P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.924 for EFNA1 in predicting HNSCC, indicating its diagnostic potential. Serum EFNA1 levels were elevated pre-surgery and decreased post-surgery (P < 0.05), correlating with poor prognosis (P = 0.021). EFNA1 knockdown in BICR78 and SNU46 cells induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). EFNA1 overexpression increased proliferation, which was reversed by EFNA1 antibody. EFNA1 downregulated AKT/ERK1/2 pathway activity, with its interference preventing full pathway activation.
Conclusion:
EFNA1 is a promising biomarker for early HNSCC screening and a potential therapeutic target.
