The Role of Serine Protease 8 in Mediating Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Title:The Role of Serine Protease 8 in Mediating Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Volume: 24

Author(s): Hai-Jing Gao, Xue-Li Geng*, Ling-Ling Wang, Chun-Nan Zhao, Zong-Ying Liang and En-Hong Xing

Affiliation:

• Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Chende Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China

Abstract:

Objective: This investigation aims to explore the expression levels of serine protease 8 (PRSS8) in gefitinib-resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (PC9/GR) and elucidate its mechanism of action.

Methodology: We measured PRSS8 expression in gefitinib-resistant (PC9/GR) and sensitive (PC9) NSCLC cell lines using Western blot analysis. PRSS8-specific small interfering RNA (PRSS8-siRNA), a recombinant plasmid, and a corresponding blank control were transfected into PC9/GR cells. Subsequently, Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expression levels of PRSS8, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), AKT, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), mTOR, and various apoptosis-related proteins within each group. Additionally, a cell proliferation assay utilizing Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) was performed on each group treated with gefitinib.

Result: PRSS8 expression was markedly higher in PC9/GR cells compared to PC9 cells (p < 0.05). The group treated with PRSS8-siRNA exhibited significantly reduced protein expression levels of PRSS8, p-AKT, p-mTOR, β-catenin, and BCL-2 compared to the control siRNA (Con-siRNA) group, whereas expressions of Caspase9 and Bax were significantly increased. In the untransfected PC9/GR cells, protein expressions of PRSS8, p-AKT, pmTOR, and BCL-2 were significantly elevated when compared with the plasmid-transfected group, which also showed a significant reduction in Bax expression. The proliferative activity of the PRSS8-siRNA group postgefitinib treatment was significantly diminished at 24, 48, and 72 hours in comparison to the Con-siRNA group.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that PRSS8 contributes to the acquisition of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC, potentially through regulation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Cite this article as:

Gao Hai-Jing, Geng Xue-Li*, Wang Ling-Ling, Zhao Chun-Nan, Liang Zong-Ying and Xing En-Hong, The Role of Serine Protease 8 in Mediating Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2024; 24 () . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118715206296807240717165200