Paclitaxel promotes mTOR signaling-mediated apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by targeting MUC20.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of paclitaxel on the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells in relation to MUC20.

METHODS:

RT-qPCR analysis, a CCK-8 assay, western blotting, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the anticancer effects of paclitaxel treatment or OE-MUC20 in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS:

The in vitro results showed that paclitaxel significantly induced MUC20 upregulation and that paclitaxel treatment or OE-MUC20 significantly decreased esophageal cancer cell viability and increased mTOR signaling activation and apoptosis. In addition, PKM2, a key downstream molecule of mTOR signaling, similarly showed significant upregulation after paclitaxel treatment in cells with OE-MUC20, and its expression was attenuated after treatment with mTOR inhibitors. In a nude mouse model, tumor growth was slow in the OE-MUC20 group and accelerated after inhibition of mTOR signaling.

CONCLUSION:

These data suggest that MUC20 is an important target of paclitaxel in esophageal cancer and promotes apoptosis through activation of mTOR signaling.

• Authors: Meng Li, Zhen Feng, Rui Han, Benchuang Hu, Renfeng Zhang, Hui Wang
• Journal: Thoracic cancer (Thorac Cancer) Vol. 14 Issue 31 Pg. 3089-3096 (11 2023) ISSN: 1759-7714 [Electronic] Singapore
• PMID: 37772424 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Paclitaxel
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• MUC20 protein, human
• Mucins

Topics

• Humans
• Animals
• Mice
• Esophageal Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics)
• Apoptosis
• Cell Survival
• Mice, Nude
• Paclitaxel (pharmacology)
• TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation
• Mucins