Endoplasmic reticulum-localized ECM1b suppresses tumor growth and regulates MYC and MTORC1 through modulating MTORC2 activation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Overview of splicing variation in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies, with a persistently high mortality rate despite promising advancements in immunotherapy. Aberrant splicing events play a crucial role in cancer heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Many splicing variants, especially those involving key molecular markers such as BRCA1/2, are closely linked to disease progression and treatment outcomes. These variants and related splicing factors hold significant clinical value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of splicing variants in ovarian cancer, emphasizing their role in metastasis and resistance, and offers insights to advance biomarker development and treatment strategies.

Significant roles of RNA 5-methylcytosine methylation in cancer

Cancer stands as a leading cause of mortality and poses an escalating threat to global health. Epigenetic dysregulation is pivotal in the onset and advancement of cancer. Recent research on RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation has underscored its significant role in cancer. RNA m5C methylation is a key component in gene expression regulation and is intricately linked to cancer development, offering valuable insights for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. This review provides an in-depth examination of the three types of regulators associated with RNA m5C methylation and their biological functions. It further investigates the expression and impact of RNA m5C methylation and its regulators in cancer, focusing on their mechanisms in cancer progression and clinical relevance. The current research on inhibitors targeting RNA m5C methylation-related regulators remains underdeveloped, necessitating further exploration and discovery.

ΔNp63-restricted viral mimicry response impedes cancer cell viability and remodels tumor microenvironment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Tumor protein p63 isoform ΔNp63 plays roles in the squamous epithelium and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), including esophageal SCC (ESCC). By integrating data from cell lines and our latest patient-derived organoid cultures, derived xenograft models, and clinical sample transcriptomic analyses, we identified a novel and robust oncogenic role of ΔNp63 in ESCC. We showed that ΔNp63 maintains the repression of cancer cell endogenous retrotransposon expression and cellular double-stranded RNA sensing. These subsequently lead to a restricted cancer cell viral mimicry response and suppressed induction of tumor-suppressive type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling through the regulations of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, Interferon regulatory factor 1, and cGAS-STING pathway. The cancer cell ΔNp63/IFN-I signaling axis affects both the cancer cell and tumor-infiltrating immune cell (TIIC) compartments. In cancer cells, depletion of ΔNp63 resulted in reduced cell viability. ΔNp63 expression is negatively associated with the anticancer responses to viral mimicry booster treatments targeting cancer cells. In the tumor microenvironment, cancer cell TP63 expression negatively correlates with multiple TIIC signatures in ESCC clinical samples. ΔNp63 depletion leads to increased cancer cell antigen presentation molecule expression and enhanced recruitment and reprogramming of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. Similar IFN-I signaling and TIIC signature association with ΔNp63 were also observed in lung SCC. These results support the potential application of ΔNp63 as a therapeutic target and a biomarker to guide candidate anticancer treatments exploring viral mimicry responses.

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The modification and recognition of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) are involved in the initiation and progression of various tumor types. However, the precise role and potential mechanism of Y-box-binding protein 1 (YBX1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Here, it is found that YBX1 is frequently upregulated in ESCC compared with matched nontumor tissues. Gain- and loss-of-function assays show that YBX1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Functional studies revealed that NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase family member 2 (NSUN2) is a critical RNA methyltransferase that facilitates YBX1-mediated ESCC progression. Mechanistically, integrated analysis based on RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) and m5C methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing (MeRIP-seq) assays identified spermine oxidase (SMOX) as a target gene containing an m5C site in its coding sequence (CDS) region, which coincided well with the binding site of YBX1. Overexpression of SMOX-WT but not SMOX-Mut partially restored the proliferation and invasion ability of ESCC cells curbed by YBX1 knockdown. Moreover, YBX1 activated the mTORC1 signaling pathway by stabilizing SMOX mRNA. The study reveals that YBX1 promotes ESCC development by stabilizing SMOX mRNA in an m5C-dependent manner, thus providing a valuable therapeutic target for ESCC.

Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a potential biomarker in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by the highly heterogeneity of pathogenic genetic background, and there are still approximately 30-40% of patients without clear molecular markers. To identify the dysregulated genes in B cell ALL, we screened 30 newly diagnosed B cell ALL patients and 10 donors by gene expression profiling chip. We found that ECM1 transcription level was abnormally elevated in newly diagnosed B cell ALL and further verified in another 267 cases compared with donors (median, 124.57% vs. 7.14%, P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of ECM1 transcription level at diagnosis was 0.89 (P < 0.001). Patients with BCR::ABL1 and IKZF1 deletion show highest transcription level (210.78%) compared with KMT2A rearrangement (39.48%) and TCF3::PBX1 rearrangement ones (30.02%) (all P < 0.05). Also, the transcription level of ECM1 was highly correlated with the clinical course, as 20 consecutive follow-up cases indicated. The 5-year OS of patients (non-KMT2A and non-TCF3::PBX1 rearrangement) with high ECM1 transcription level was significantly worse than the lower ones (18.7% vs. 72.9%, P < 0.001) and high ECM1 transcription level was an independent risk factor for OS (HR = 5.77 [1.75-19.06], P = 0.004). After considering transplantation, high ECM1 transcription level was not an independent risk factor, although OS was still poor (low vs. high, 71.1% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.038). Our findings suggested that ECM1 may be a potential molecular marker for diagnosis, minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, and prognosis prediction of B cell ALL.Trial registration Trial Registration Registered in the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau Registration N 2007-1007 and in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry [ChiCTR-OCH-10000940 and ChiCTR-OPC-14005546]; http://www.chictr.org.cn .

TAGET: a toolkit for analyzing full-length transcripts from long-read sequencing

Single-molecule Real-time Isoform Sequencing (Iso-seq) of transcriptomes by PacBio can generate very long and accurate reads, thus providing an ideal platform for full-length transcriptome analysis. We present an integrated computational toolkit named TAGET for Iso-seq full-length transcript data analyses, including transcript alignment, annotation, gene fusion detection, and quantification analyses such as differential expression gene analysis and differential isoform usage analysis. We evaluate the performance of TAGET using a public Iso-seq dataset and newly sequenced Iso-seq datasets from tumor patients. TAGET gives significantly more precise novel splice site prediction and enables more accurate novel isoform and gene fusion discoveries, as validated by experimental validations and comparisons with RNA-seq data. We identify and experimentally validate a differential isoform usage gene ECM1, and further show that its isoform ECM1b may be a tumor-suppressor in laryngocarcinoma. Our results demonstrate that TAGET provides a valuable computational toolkit and can be applied to many full-length transcriptome studies.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Reynoutria japonica Houtt. herb pair suppresses breast cancer liver metastasis by targeting ECM1-mediated cholesterol biosynthesis pathway

BACKGROUND

Liver metastasis is a frequent event in breast cancer that causes low survival rate and poor prognosis. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Reynoutria japonica Houtt. (CR), a traditional Chinese herb pair, is used for the treatment of breast cancer liver metastasis or cholesterol gallstone disease in clinics.

PURPOSE

This study attempted to investigate the potential therapeutic target and mechanism of CR herb pair on breast cancer liver metastasis.

METHODS

The anti-metastatic and cholesterol-lowering activities of CR extract were evaluated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines and an experimental liver metastasis model. The role of extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway was determined by the knockdown and overexpression of ECM1 gene of TNBC cells. Changes in the gene and protein expression levels of ECM1 and the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway after CR treatment were detected in vitro and in vivo by real-time PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

The invasive and metastatic potentials and hypercholesterol levels of TNBC cells were positively associated with ECM1 expression. ECM1 knockdown reduced tumor cholesterol levels via downregulating cholesterol biosynthesis genes, including ACAT2, HMGCS1, HMGCR, MVK, and MVD, whereas ECM1 overexpression elicited the opposite effects. CR herb pair exerts the potential therapeutic effects on TNBC liver metastasis, which is partially mediated by disrupting ECM1-activated cholesterol biosynthesis process in TNBC cells.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that ECM1 is a novel target for the activation of cholesterol biosynthesis to promote TNBC liver metastasis occurrence. CR herb pair, an ECM1 inhibitor, maybe be considered to serve as an adjuvant therapeutic drug for liver metastasis in clinical practice.

H3K27me3 Inactivates SFRP1 to Promote Cell Proliferation via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Histone methylations are generally considered to play an important role in multiple cancers by regulating cancer-related genes.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the effects of H3K27me3-mediated inactivation of tumor suppressor gene SFRP1 and its function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODS

We performed ChIP-seq on H3K27me3-enriched genomic DNA fragments in ESCC cells to screen out tumor suppressor genes that may be regulated by H3K27me3. ChIP-qPCR and Western blot were employed to explore the regulating mechanisms between H3K27me3 and SFRP1. Expression level of SFRP1 was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) in 29 pairs of ESCC surgical samples. SFRP1 function in ESCC cells were detected by cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay and wound-healing assay.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that H3K27me3 was widely distributed in the genome of ESCC cells. Specifically, we found that H3K27me3 deposited on the upstream region of SFRP1 promoter and inactivated SFRP1 expression. Furthermore, we found SFRP1 was significantly down-regulated in ESCC tissues compared with the adjacent non-tumor tissues, and SFRP1 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. In vitro cell-based assay indicated that over-expression of SFRP1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and negatively correlated with the expression of β-catenin in the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed a previously unrecognized finding that H3K27me3-mediated SFRP1 inhibit the cell proliferation of ESCC through inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Upregulation of KIF18B facilitates malignant phenotype of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by activating CDCA8/mTORC1 pathway

Background

Kinesin family member 18B (KIF18B) has been regarded as an oncogene that is abnormally overexpressed in some cancers, but its mechanism in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear, which is thereby investigated in this study.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze the expression of KIF18B in esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to detect KIF18B expression in ESCC cells. After KIF18B overexpression or cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) deficiency, ESCC cells were subjected to determination of qRT‐PCR, Western blot, cell counting kit‐8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assay. The mechanism of KIF18B in the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway was detected by Western blot.

Results

KIF18B was overexpressed in ESCA samples and ESCC cells. Upregulation of KIF18B enhanced the viability, accelerated cell cycle by elevating CDK4 and Cyclin D3 levels as well as promoted the migration and invasion by decreasing E‐cadherin level and increasing Vimentin and N‐cadherin levels in ESCC cells, which was counteracted by CDCA8 silencing. The expression of CDCA8 in ESCC cells was upregulated by KIF18B overexpression. KIF18B overexpression activated the mTORC1 pathway by upregulating phosphorylated (p)‐/p70S6K and p‐/mTOR levels in the ESCC cells, which was reversed by CDCA8 silencing.

Conclusion

KIF18B overexpression promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells via CDCA8‐mediated mTORC1 signaling pathway in vitro.

Construction and Validation of Prognostic Regulation Network Based on RNA-Binding Protein Genes in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is a common histologic subtype of non-small cell lung cancer with a poor prognosis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key modulators in the posttranscriptional regulation and RBP alterations are commonly found in various cancer types. However, its roles in predicting the tumorigenesis and prognosis have not been identified in LUSC. To identify the roles of RBPs in the tumorigenesis and prognosis of LUSC, the RNA sequencing data of patients with LUSC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The differential expressed genes (DEGs) were evaluated and identified. The intersection of manually curated RBPs and tumorigenesis-related DEGs was filtered to the univariate Cox regression analysis. The intersection genes with prognostic value were defined as prognostic RNA-binding protein genes (PRBPGs). Based on them, the predicted model was constructed. Its accuracy was tested by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic curve and the risk score. In addition, to explore the key regulatory network, the relationship among PRBPGs, target RNA, and absolute quantification of 50 hallmarks of cancer was also identified by Pearson correlation analysis. A total of 311 genes were filtered as the intersection of 1542 manually curated RBPs and tumorigenesis-related DEGs and the results revealed 17 PRBPGs. Based on them, we constructed the predict model with a relatively high accuracy (AUC: 0.739). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the significant prognostic value of risk score (p < 0.001). Moreover, we uncovered the regulatory networks of PHF5A-TOMM22-oxidative phosphorylation, TLR3-CTSO inflammation-related pathway, SECISBP2L-targeted RNA (ADGRF5, TGFBR2, CD302, AC096921.2, AHCYL2, RPS6KA2, SLC34A2, and SFTPB) angiogenesis, and SECISBP2L-AKAP13 signaling (DNA repair, MTORC1 signaling, and MYC targets). The regulation mechanisms and cellular location of key PRBPGs were validated by assay for targeting accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing. Our study identifies PRBPGs as reliable indexes in predicting the tumorigenesis and prognosis of patients with LUSC and provides a well-applied model for predicting the overall survival for patients with LUSC. Besides, we also identified the regulatory network among PRBPGs, target RNA, and cancer gene sets in mediating the LUSC tumorigenesis.

SNHG17, as an EMT-related lncRNA, promotes the expression of c-Myc by binding to c-Jun in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Dysregulation of long noncoding RNA SNHG17 is associated with the occurrence of several tumors; however, its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains obscure. The present study demonstrated that SNHG17 was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines, induced by TGF‐β1, and associated with poor survival. It is also involved in the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The mechanism underlying SNHG17‐regulated c‐Myc was detected by RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull‐down, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays. SNHG17 was found to directly regulate c‐Myc transcription by binding to c‐Jun protein and recruiting the complex to specific sequences of the c‐Myc promoter region, thereby increasing its expression. Moreover, SNHG17 hyperactivation induced by TGF‐β1 results in PI3K/AKT pathway activation, promoting cells EMT, forming a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, SNHG17 facilitated ESCC tumor growth in vivo. Overall, this study demonstrated that the SNHG17/c‐Jun/c‐Myc axis aggravates ESCC progression and EMT induction by TGF‐β1 and may serve as a new therapeutic target for ESCC.

RAD50 Loss of Function Variants in the Zinc Hook Domain Associated with Higher Risk of Familial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Two deleterious RAD50 loss-of-function germline mutations were identified from the blood DNA of a cohort of 3289 Henan individuals by next-generation sequencing. These rare loss-of-function RAD50 variants were associated with a substantial increased risk of familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk Northern China. A functional study suggested that the RAD50 mutations may affect DNA repair and cell survival upon replication stress. Our preliminary functional study provided novel insight and the potential clinical implication that patients with heterozygous RAD50^L1264F and RAD50^Q672X status may have a potential synthetic lethal therapeutic option with CHK1 inhibitors. Further study is warranted for validation of the implicated genetic susceptibility role of the RAD50 Zinc Hook mutants.

Abstract

Unbiased whole-exome sequencing approaches in familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) initially prioritized RAD50 as a candidate cancer predisposition gene. The combined study with 3289 Henan individuals from Northern China identified two pathogenic RAD50 protein truncation variants, p.Q672X and a recurrent p.K722fs variant at the zinc hook domain significantly conferring increased familial ESCC risk. Effects of ~10-fold higher familial ESCC risk were observed, when compared to East Asians from the gnomAD database. Functional characterization suggested that the RAD50^Q672X mutation contributes a dominant-negative effect in DNA repair of double-stranded breaks. Overexpression of the RAD50^Q672X and RAD50^L1264F missense mutation also sensitized cell death upon replication stress stimuli induced by formaldehyde treatment and the CHK1 inhibitor, AZD7762. Our study suggested the novel insight of the potential for synthetic lethal therapeutic options for RAD50^Q672X and the East-Asian-specific RAD50^L1264F variants and CHK1 inhibitors. Our study also suggested the association of RAD50 LOF variants in the zinc hook domain with a higher risk of familial ESCC in Chinese.

Extracellular matrix protein-1 secretory isoform promotes ovarian cancer through increasing alternative mRNA splicing and stemness

Extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) promotes tumorigenesis in multiple organs but the mechanisms associated to ECM1 isoform subtypes have yet to be clarified. We report in this study that the secretory ECM1a isoform induces tumorigenesis through the GPR motif binding to integrin αXβ2 and the activation of AKT/FAK/Rho/cytoskeleton signaling. The ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1) transduces the ECM1a-integrin αXβ2 interactive signaling to facilitate the phosphorylation of AKT/FAK/Rho/cytoskeletal molecules and to confer cancer cell cisplatin resistance through up-regulation of the CD326-mediated cell stemness. On the contrary, the non-secretory ECM1b isoform binds myosin and blocks its phosphorylation, impairing cytoskeleton-mediated signaling and tumorigenesis. Moreover, ECM1a induces the expression of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L like (hnRNPLL) protein to favor the alternative mRNA splicing generating ECM1a. ECM1a, αXβ2, ABCG1 and hnRNPLL higher expression associates with poor survival, while ECM1b higher expression associates with good survival. These results highlight ECM1a, integrin αXβ2, hnRNPLL and ABCG1 as potential targets for treating cancers associated with ECM1-activated signaling.

Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) has been associated with cancer but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. Here, the authors show that while ECM1b isoform is a tumour suppressor, the secreted isoform ECM1a promotes tumourigenesis and chemoresistance through increasing stemness and alternative mRNA splicing in ovarian cancer.

Depletion of DNA Polymerase Theta Inhibits Tumor Growth and Promotes Genome Instability through the cGAS-STING-ISG Pathway in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

DNA polymerase theta, encoded by the human POLQ gene, is upregulated in several cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The importance of POLQ, however, has yet to be elucidated in esophageal cancer. In this study, we explored the functional impacts of POLQ and looked into its underlying mechanisms. POLQ was overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tumors associated with unfavorable prognosis and contributed to malignant phenotypes by promoting genome stability, suggesting that targeting polymerase theta may provide a potential therapeutic approach for improving ESCC management.

Abstract

Overexpression of the specialized DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) is frequent in breast, colon and lung cancers and has been correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Here, we aimed to determine the importance and functional role of POLQ in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Integrated analysis of four RNA-seq datasets showed POLQ was predominantly upregulated in ESCC tumors. High expression of POLQ was also observed in a cohort of 25 Hong Kong ESCC patients and negatively correlated with ESCC patient survival. POLQ knockout (KO) ESCC cells were sensitized to multiple genotoxic agents. Both rH2AX foci staining and the comet assay indicated a higher level of genomic instability in POLQ-depleted cells. Double KO of POLQ and FANCD2, known to promote POLQ recruitment at sites of damage, significantly impaired cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, as compared to either single POLQ or FANCD2 KOs. A significantly increased number of micronuclei was observed in POLQ and/or FANCD2 KO ESCC cells. Loss of POLQ and/or FANCD2 also resulted in the activation of cGAS and upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Our results suggest that high abundance of POLQ in ESCC contributes to the malignant phenotype through genome instability and activation of the cGAS pathway.

Genome-Wide Profiling of Alternative Splicing Signature Reveals Prognostic Predictor for Esophageal Carcinoma

Background

Alternative splicing (AS) is a molecular event that drives protein diversity through the generation of multiple mRNA isoforms. Growing evidence demonstrates that dysregulation of AS is associated with tumorigenesis. However, an integrated analysis in identifying the AS biomarkers attributed to esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is largely unexplored.

Methods

AS percent-splice-in (PSI) data were obtained from the TCGA SpliceSeq database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was successively performed to identify the overall survival (OS)-associated AS events, followed by the construction of AS predictor through different splicing patterns. Then, a nomogram that combines the final AS predictor and clinicopathological characteristics was established. Finally, a splicing regulatory network was created according to the correlation between the AS events and the splicing factors (SF).

Results

We identified a total of 2389 AS events with the potential to be used as prognostic markers that are associated with the OS of ESCA patients. Based on splicing patterns, we then built eight AS predictors that are highly capable in distinguishing high- and low-risk patients, and in predicting ESCA prognosis. Notably, the area under curve (AUC) value for the exon skip (ES) prognostic predictor was shown to reach a score of 0.885, indicating that ES has the highest prediction strength in predicting ESCA prognosis. In addition, a nomogram that comprises the pathological stage and risk group was shown to be highly efficient in predicting the survival possibility of ESCA patients. Lastly, the splicing correlation network analysis revealed the opposite roles of splicing factors (SFs) in ESCA.

Conclusion

In this study, the AS events may provide reliable biomarkers for the prognosis of ESCA. The splicing correlation networks could provide new insights in the identification of potential regulatory mechanisms during the ESCA development.

WHSC1 Promotes Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Activating mTORC1 Signaling

Background

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate gene-1 (WHSC1) plays key regulatory roles in cancer development and progression. However, its specific functions and potential mechanisms of action remain to be described in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods

WHSC1 expression in HCC was evaluated using The Cancer Genome Atlas and verified in HCC tissues and cell lines using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Functional assays were performed to explore the role of WHSC1 in HCC progression. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were conducted to evaluate the interaction between WHSC1 and prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit beta (P4HB). Pathway enrichment was performed using gene set enrichment analysis.

Results

WHSC1 was markedly overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. The level of expression was strongly associated with adverse clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analyses revealed that WHSC1 upregulation predicted poor overall survival and higher recurrence rates in patients with HCC. Functional studies revealed that WHSC1 significantly stimulated HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. WHSC1 was shown to interact with P4HB to stimulate P4HB expression and subsequently activate mTOR1 signaling.

Conclusion

We determined the oncogenic role of WHSC1 in HCC, via P4HB interaction, which activates mTOR1 signaling, and identified WHSC1 as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.