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ULK2 suppresses ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion by elevating IGFBP3.
- Source :
-
PeerJ [PeerJ] 2024 Jun 28; Vol. 12, pp. e17628. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 28 (Print Publication: 2024). - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Ovarian cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality known for its considerable metastatic potential. This study aimed to explore the expression and functional role of Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 2 (ULK2) in the progression of ovarian cancer.<br />Methods: ULK2 expression patterns in ovarian cancer tissues as well as benign tumor control samples obtained from our institution were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Cell counting kit 8 and Transwell assays were applied to assess the effects of ULK2 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. RNA sequencing was performed to explore potential mechanisms of action of ULK2 beyond its classical autophagy modulation.<br />Results: Our experiments showed significant downregulation of ULK2 in ovarian cancer tissues. Importantly, low expression of ULK2 was markedly correlated with decreased overall survival. In vitro functional studies further demonstrated that overexpression of ULK2 significantly suppressed tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a potential regulatory role of ULK2 in the insulin signaling pathway through upregulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) in ovarian cancer cells.<br />Conclusions: In summary, the collective data indicated that ULK2 acted as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer by upregulating the expression of IGFBP3. Our study underscores the potential utility of ULK2 as a valuable prognostic marker for ovarian cancer.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.<br /> (© 2024 Chen et al.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Female
Cell Line, Tumor
Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog metabolism
Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Up-Regulation
Signal Transduction
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
Cell Movement genetics
Ovarian Neoplasms pathology
Ovarian Neoplasms genetics
Ovarian Neoplasms metabolism
Ovarian Neoplasms mortality
Neoplasm Invasiveness genetics
Cell Proliferation genetics
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 metabolism
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2167-8359
- Volume :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- PeerJ
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38952983
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17628