The differential expression of OCT4 isoforms in cervical carcinoma

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 27;10(3):e0118033. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118033. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

OCT4 is a transcription factor involved in maintaining stem cell phenotype and pluripotential. However, it remains unclear the expression pattern and biological function of OCT4 isoforms in cervical cancer. Here, we reported that both nuclear OCT4A and cytoplasmic OCT4B were overexpressed in CC. OCT4A was responsible for self-renewal of cervical cancer stem-like cells (CCSCs). Furthermore, OCT4B overexpression in SiHa cervical cancer cell line significantly increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by inhibiting apoptosis. Moreover, OCT4B enhanced angiogenesis by the upregulation of CD34, VEGF, HIF-1α and IL-6, and promoted tumor cell mobility to the surrounding tissue by the upregulation of MMP2 and MMP9, and the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In conclusion, nuclear OCT4A may serve as a marker of CCSCs and the driving force for cervical cancer metastasis and recurrence, while cytoplasmic OCT4B may cooperate with OCT4A to regulate the progression of cervical cancer through inducing angiogenesis and EMT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics*
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • Protein Isoforms

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.