Synaptopodin 2 represses cervical cancer cell growth and enhances the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin via Hippo pathway

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the functions and regulatory mechanisms of synaptopodin-2 (SYNPO2) in cervical cancer progression. Methods: Normal cervical cell lines (Ect1/E6E7) and cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, C-33A, and CaSki) were cultured. The pcDNA3.1 vector  overexpressing SYNPO2, a negative control (vector), and blank control (control) were transfected into HeLa and SiHa cells. Protein expression from  normal and cervical cancer cell lines was examined by western blot. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated in HeLa and SiHa cells using Cell  Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays, while cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Cell  apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Results: SYNPO2 expression was decreased in cervical cancer based on the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis website (p < 0.05). Additionally,  Kaplan–Meier Plotter website showed that cervical cancer patients with low SYNPO2 expression showed worse prognoses than patients with high SYNPO2 expression (p < 0.05). Subsequent investigations revealed that SYNPO2 overexpression repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in  cervical cancer (p < 0.01). Furthermore, SYNPO2 overexpression enhanced cervical cancer cell apoptosis (p < 0.001) and increased the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin (p < 0.01). The regulatory function of SYNPO2 on Hippo pathway in cervical cancer indicate that SYNPO2 inactivated Hippo  pathway (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Synaptopodin 2 represses cervical cancer cell growth and enhances the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to  cisplatin via Hippo pathway, thus indicating its potentials for development for the treatment of cervical cancer.