Introduction

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) can affect tumor growth and metastasis through regulation of transcription of tumor-associated proteins. In that context, the polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1), human antigen R (HuR, aka ELAVL1), cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1) and the RNA binding motif protein 38 (RBM38) have been associated with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) mRNA regulation.

Methods

We investigated the expression of these proteins in different head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines using qPCR and Western blot. We also assessed the effect of a knockdown of these genes on cellular proliferation, migration and expression of cancer-associated proteins, e.g. HIF1 or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Results

We found that PTBP1, ELAVL1, CPEB1 and RBM38 are differentially expressed between the UD5, SAS and Cal27 cell lines. A knockdown of PTBP1 led to a strong reduction in UD5 and SAS proliferation. Furthermore, knockdown of the RBPs affected the expression of cancer-associated proteins.

Discussion

In HNSCC patients, increased levels of PTBP1 and ELAVL1 have been observed. Furthermore, the investigated RBPs are known to regulate the expression of cancer-associated proteins. Therefore, a downregulation or inhibition of these proteins might be beneficial in the treatment of therapy-resistant HNSCC patients.

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