[COX6C Promotes the Proliferation of Multiple Myeloma Cells by Increasing Intracellular ATP Levels]

To investigate the effect of COX6C on the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells and its mechanism of action.

The expression of COX6C in MM cell lines were detected by RT-PCR. siRNA technology was used to knockdown COX6C expression in OPM2 cells. MTT assay and flow cytometry were employed to assess the effect of COX6C knockdown by siRNA on cell proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. The mitochondrial morphological changes in OPM2 cells pre- and post- siRNA-mediated COX6C knockdown were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The relative expression level of COX6C was significantly increased in MM cell lines (P <0.01). Following siRNA-mediated COX6C knockdown, OPM2 cell proliferation was inhibited, with viable cells accounting for 62.32%±3.43% and 47.01%±5.12% after 48 and 72 hours of culture, respectively. siRNA-mediated COX6C knockdown also caused significant reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular ATP levels (P <0.05), accompanied by mitochondrial shortening, swelling, and incomplete cristae structures.

COX6C may promote the proliferation of MM cells by altering the mitochondrial structure and elevating intracellular ATP levels.