E2F3/CDCA2 reduces radiosensitivity in gastric adenocarcinoma by activating PI3K/AKT pathway

Objectives: Gastric adenocarcinoma is primarily responsible for tumor-associated deaths and its incidence is increasing globally. CDCA2 is a nuclear protein binding to protein Phosphatase one γ (PP1γ) and plays a pro-oncogenic role in tumors. This study aimed to elucidate the biological function of CDCA2 in gastric adenocarcinoma progression and radiosensitivity, as well as its potential mechanisms.

Methods: Differentially expressed mRNAs in gastric adenocarcinoma were obtained by bioinformatics and upstream regulatory factors were predicted. The correlation between their expressions was analyzed. The expressions of E2F3 and CDCA2 in cells were assayed by qRT-PCR and their regulatory relationship was validated by molecular experiments. Cell viability was tested via CCK-8. Cell proliferation and survival after radiotherapy were determined by colony formation assay. The expressions of PI3K/Akt pathway-related proteins were assessed through western blot.

Results: CDCA2 was significantly upregulated in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues and cells, promoted cell proliferation, and reduced radiosensitivity. The impact of CDCA2 on cell proliferation and radiosensitivity was reversed by the PI3K/Akt Inhibitor. Furthermore, the upstream transcription factor of CDCA2 was found to be E2F3, which was highly expressed in gastric adenocarcinoma. The binding relationship between the two was validated by dual luciferase and ChIP experiments. The rescue experiment showed that E2F3 activated CDCA2 to drive cell proliferation and reduce radiosensitivity through PI3K/Akt pathway in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion: In summary, this study found that E2F3 activated CDCA2 to drive cell proliferation and reduce radiosensitivity in gastric adenocarcinoma through the PI3K/Akt pathway, suggesting that E2F3/CDCA2 axis is a new therapeutic target for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Advances in knowledge: 1. CDCA2 reduced the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells;2. CDCA2 reduced the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway;3. E2F3 activated CDCA2 to reduce the radiosensitivity of gastric adenocarcinoma cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway.