Human/eukaryotic ribosomal protein L14 (RPL14/eL14) overexpression represses proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Bioengineered. 2021 Dec;12(1):2175-2186. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1932225.

Abstract

Although human/eukaryotic ribosomal protein L14 (RPL14/eL14) is known to be associated with a variety of cancers, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of RPL14(eL14) in NPC. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, and immunohistochemical staining revealed that the expression of RPL14(eL14) significantly reduced in NPC tissues and cells. Furthermore, the protein expression of RPL14(eL14) was linked to NPC-related clinical pathological features, including the T and N classification of Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) staging (all p < 0.05). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay revealed that RPL14(eL14) overexpression repressed NPC cell proliferation. In cell cycle assay, RPL14(eL14) overexpression significantly blocked NPC cells in S phase. Overexpression of RPL14(eL14) repressed cell migration and invasion in NPC as shown by transwell assay and cell scratch healing assay. In addition, RPL14(eL14) was closely correlated with the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin as detected by western blot. In conclusion, our results revealed that RPL14(eL14) may be considered as an antioncogene in NPC, which greatly suppresses cancer progression.

Keywords: EMT process; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; RPL14(eL14); progression; ribosomal protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nasopharynx / metabolism
  • Nasopharynx / pathology
  • Ribosomal Proteins / genetics*
  • Ribosomal Proteins / metabolism
  • Vimentin / genetics
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cadherins
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • Vimentin
  • ribosomal protein L14

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi [nos: 2018GXNSFAA281055] , National Natural Science Foundation of China [nos. 81460414] and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Committee self-funded scientific research [Z20190841].