FBXO31 inhibits the stemness characteristics of CD147 (+) melanoma stem cells

Determining the critical elements in melanoma stem cell growth could aid in preventing the development of malignant cancer. The purpose of this study was to illustrate how FBXO31 affects the stemness, invasion, and migratory properties of melanoma stem cells. Side population (SP) cells with tumor stem cell characteristics were sorted from A375 melanoma cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of FBXO31 in SP cells were detected using molecular techniques. FBXO31 was then transfected into SP cells, and the proportion of CD147 (+) cells in SP cells was detected by flow cytometry. FBXO31 was also transfected into CD147 (+) cells, and their spheroid formation, migration, and invasion ability were measured. Additionally, CD147 (-) and CD147 (+) cells were inoculated into nude mice to assess the effect of FBXO31 on tumor growth and metastasis. The findings demonstrate that FBXO31 is downregulated in SP cells. Upon FBXO31 transfection, the proportion of CD147 (+) cells sorted from SP cells decreased. CD147 (+) cells exhibit higher stemness characteristics, migration, and invasion abilities than CD147 (-) cells. However, these characteristics were markedly suppressed following FBXO31 transfection in CD147 (+) cells. In vivo experiment further showed that CD147 (+) cells promoted tumor growth and metastasis, while after transfection with FBXO31, tumor proliferation and metastatic abilities were inhibited. Overall, FBXO31 inhibits the migration, invasion, and stemness characteristics of CD147 (+) melanoma stem cells.