Hsc70 interacts with KCNA5 to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the function and interaction of heat-shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily A member 5 (KCNA5) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to measure Hsc70 and KCNA5 expression in PCOS. The effect of Hsc70 on granulosa cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay were used to assess the impact of Hsc70 on cell proliferation, while the interaction of Hsc70 with KCNA5 were evaluated by Western blot, CCK-8, and colony formation assay, respectively.Results: Hsc70 expression was upregulated in PCOS compared to the control (p < 0.05). In granulosa cells, Hsc70 overexpression promoted cell proliferation but inhibited apoptosis (p < 0.05), whereas Hsc70 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, KCNA5 expression was downregulated in PCOS (p < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with Hsc70 expression. KCNA5 knockdown promoted granulosa cell proliferation and also attenuated the Hsc70 knockdown-mediated inhibition of granulosa cell proliferation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Hsc70 promotes granulosa cell proliferation by interacting with KCNA5, further defining the molecular mechanism behind PCOS.