ZCCHC14 regulates proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer through the MAPK-P38 signalling pathway

Abstract

ZCCHC14 is a CCHC-type zinc finger protein which is expressed in tissues in human and mouse. The function of ZCCHC14 in tumours remains unclear. In this research, we explored the expression, function and related molecular mechanisms of ZCCHC14 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunochemistry staining showed that ZCCHC14 was low-expressed or absent in NSCLC tissues. In NSCLC patients, the low expression of ZCCHC14 in tumour tissues was significantly correlated with TNM stage, differentiation degree and adverse clinical outcome (P < .05). The proliferation and invasion ability of cancer cells transfected with ZCCHC14 CRISPR/Ca9 KO plasmids was significantly enhanced (P < .05). Immunoblotting analysis indicated that the expression of p-P38, cyclinD1 and MMP7 were significantly up-regulated after disabling ZCCHC14 (P < .05). We used MAPK-P38 pathway inhibitor doramapimod (BIRB 796) to inhibit P38 signalling pathway activity and determined that the agent significantly disrupted the function of ZCCHC14 and hindered the proliferation and invasion of the tumour. The finding revealed that ZCCHC14 can regulate proliferation and invasion of NSCLC through the P38 pathway. ZCCHC14 plays a crucial regulatory role in the development of NSCLC and may become a zinc finger target for clinical treatment.

Keywords: P38 signalling pathway; ZCCHC14; invasion; lung cancer; proliferation.