Journal: Cancer Cell International
Article Title: Novel function of GTPBP2 in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma progression through inhibition of BTRC-mediated KRAS degradation
doi: 10.1186/s12935-025-04029-w
Figure Lengend Snippet: GTPBP2 expression is correlated to AFP content and is required for sorafenib resistance. (A, C) Representative images from the colony formation assay in control and GTPBP2-knocked down Mahlavu and J7 cells, with or without sorafenib (5 μM) treatment, stained with crystal violet. The right panels display the quantified results. (B, D) MTS assays were performed to assess the impact of GTPBP2 on cellular sensitivity to sorafenib in control and GTPBP2-knockdown Mahlavu and J7 cells over a 3-day period. ( E, F ) Cell viability assays in Mahlavu (E) and J7 (F) cells showing that overexpression of GTPBP2 increased resistance to sorafenib, and this effect was overcome by KRAS knockdown. The corresponding IC50 values are indicated. Data are presented as mean ± SEM from three independent experiments (**p<0.05, ** p < 0.01). Experiments were performed in triplicates. GTPBP2 expression was analyzed using the Roessier Liver array ( G) and Cohort 2 (H) in relation to AFP contents. Serum concentration higher than 300 ng/ml is presented as high, less than or equal to 300 ng/ml is presented as low. (* p< 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001). (I) A schematic illustration of the proposed model where GTPBP2 attenuates BTRC-mediated KRAS degradation in liver cancer. Abnormal expression of GTPBP2 in liver cancer tissue competes with KRAS for BTRC binding, leading to enhanced KRAS protein stability and activation of its downstream signaling pathways. This, in turn, promotes increased metastasis, exacerbates malignancy, and contributes to sorafenib resistance
Article Snippet: Coverslips were initially blocked for 45 min at 37 °C with a blocking solution and then incubated with a 1:200 dilution of primary antibodies, including KRAS (sc-30, Santa Cruz Biotechnology)/GTPBP2 (ab222195, Abcam) or BTRC (sc-390629, Santa Cruz Biotechnology)/KRAS (A1190, ABclonal), overnight at 4 °C.
Techniques: Expressing, Colony Assay, Control, Staining, Knockdown, Over Expression, Concentration Assay, Binding Assay, Activation Assay, Protein-Protein interactions