CDK5RAP2 is a Wnt target gene and promotes stemness and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Yuehong Shen, Yuling Chen, Yuntao Lin, Yicun Li, Pengfei Liu, Biru Zhang, Yufan Wang, King-Chi Chan, Nai-Ki Mak, Michael Kahn, Robert Z Qi, Hongyu Yang

Cell death & disease 2023 Feb 11

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In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a highly aggressive and frequently lethal malignancy, the role and action mechanism of the microtubule regulatory protein CDK5RAP2 have not been fully understood. Here, we show that CDK5RAP2 is highly expressed in OSCC and its expression correlates with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of the disease. The expression of CDK5RAP2 is regulated by the Wnt signaling pathway. Depletion of CDK5RAP2 inhibits the tumorigenesis and migration of OSCC cells and alters the OSCC cancer stem (-like) cell (CSC) signature. Notably, suppression of CDK5RAP2 expression disrupts spindle orientation during mitosis. Collectively, these results identify CDK5RAP2 as a potential CSC marker and reveal a mechanism that controls the CSC population in OSCC. © 2023. The Author(s).

Citation

Yuehong Shen, Yuling Chen, Yuntao Lin, Yicun Li, Pengfei Liu, Biru Zhang, Yufan Wang, King-Chi Chan, Nai-Ki Mak, Michael Kahn, Robert Z Qi, Hongyu Yang. CDK5RAP2 is a Wnt target gene and promotes stemness and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cell death & disease. 2023 Feb 11;14(2):107