Role of ZNF334 in cervical cancer: implications for EMT reversal and tumor suppression

Qian Li & Tingxiu Xiang et al. · 2024-07-02

Zinc-finger proteins are involved in many biological processes. However, the role of Zinc-finger protein 334 (ZNF334) in cervical cancer remains unidentified. This study showed that promoter methylation of ZNF334 was responsible for its reduced expression. ZNF334 suppressed malignant biological behaviors in cervical cancer. Notably, ZNF334 reversed the EMT process both in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq coupled with bioinformatics analysis caught P3H3 which is upregulated by ZNF334. Dual-luciferase reporter and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays illustrated that ZNF334 directly regulate P3H3. Knockdown of P3H3 attenuated the reversal of EMT induced by ZNF334. Additionally, ZNF334 overexpression sensitized cervical cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel, cyclosporine and sunitinib. In conclusions, this study illustrated that DNA methylation-based silencing ZNF334 played a vital role in cervical cancer, by regulating P3H3 in turn affects EMT. ZNF334 has the potential to become a novel diagnostic biomarker and a potential treatment target for cervical cancer.
Authors
Qian Li, Xiangyi Zhou, Jiayi Xiao, Yijia Gong, Xue Gong, Bianfei Shao, Jianhua Wang, Lijuan Zhao, Qi Xiong, Yue Wu, Jun Tang, Qiyu Yang, Junying Tang, Tingxiu Xiang
Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Municipality

CSTB2023NSCQ-MSX0386

Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Municipality

CSTC2021jscx-gksb-N0023

National Natural Science Foundation of China

#82172619

Medical and Industrial Integration Project

2022CDJYGRH-002