Peroxiredoxin 2 is highly expressed in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and is upregulated by human papillomavirus oncoproteins and arecoline, promoting proliferation

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 17;15(12):e0242465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242465. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) is upregulated in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It is a known tumor promoter in some cancers, but its role in OSCC is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of arecoline, an alkaloid of the betel nut, and human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6/E7 oncoproteins on induction of PRDX2 expression, and also the effects of PRDX2 overexpression in oral cell lines. Levels of PRDX2 protein were determined using western blot analysis of samples of exfoliated normal oral cells (n = 75) and oral lesion cells from OSCC cases (n = 75). Some OSCC cases were positive for HPV infection and some patients had a history of betel quid chewing. To explore the level of PRDX2 by western blot, the proteins were extracted from oral cell lines that were treated with arecoline or retroviruses containing HPV16 E6 gene and HPV16 E6/E7 expressing vector. For analysis of PRDX2 functions, cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis and migration was compared between oral cells overexpressing PRDX2 and cells with PRDX2-knockdown. PRDX2 expression levels tended to be higher in OSCC samples that were positive for HPV infection and had history of betel quid chewing. Arecoline treatment in vitro at low concentrations and overexpression of HPV16 E6 or E6/E7 in oral cells induced PRDX2 overexpression. Interestingly, in oral cells, PRDX2 promoted cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression (G2/M phase), cell migration and inhibited apoptosis. Upregulation of PRDX2 in oral cells was induced by arecoline and HPV16 oncoproteins and promoted growth of OSCC cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Arecoline / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / enzymology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / chemistry
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / metabolism
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / genetics*
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / metabolism
  • Peroxiredoxins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peroxiredoxins / genetics*
  • Peroxiredoxins / metabolism
  • Plasmids / chemistry
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Arecoline
  • PRDX2 protein, human
  • Peroxiredoxins

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), Thailand, in the form of funding for CP; and Khon Kaen University in the form of a grant (Grant number I62-00-18-03) for TE.