DDX5 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth through sustaining VAV3 mRNA stability

Oncogene. 2024 Oct;43(44):3240-3254. doi: 10.1038/s41388-024-03162-6. Epub 2024 Sep 17.

Abstract

Novel therapeutic targets and their inhibitors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) prevention and therapy are urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate the function of DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) in ESCC progression and to identify a promising inhibitor of DDX5. We verified that DDX5 was highly expressed in ESCC and played an oncogenic role, binding with vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (VAV3) mRNA and facilitating VAV3 mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification by interacting with the m6A methyltransferase 3 (METTL3). M6A-modified VAV3 mRNA was identified by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF2BP1), increasing mRNA stability. Methylnissolin-3-β-D-O-glucoside (MD) inhibited ESCC progression through the DDX5-VAV3 axis. Our findings suggest that DDX5 promotes ESCC progression. MD inhibits ESCC progression by targeting DDX5.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases* / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases* / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / genetics
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / metabolism
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methyltransferases / genetics
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav* / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav* / metabolism
  • RNA Stability* / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav
  • Ddx5 protein, human
  • VAV3 protein, human
  • Methyltransferases
  • METTL3 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Adenosine