The Pathogenic Effect of Cortactin Tyrosine Phosphorylation in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Authors: LIANHUA ZHU ; EUNAE CHO ; GUOHUA ZHAO ; MI RYUNG ROH ; ZHENLONG ZHENG

MeSH: Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement/genetics ; Cell Proliferation/genetics ; Cortactin/genetics* ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics ; Skin Neoplasms/genetics* ; Skin Neoplasms/pathology ; Transfection

Keywords: Cortactin ; cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ; molecular biomarker ; oncogenic effect ; phosphorylation

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIM: Cortactin (CTTN) has been considered a promising molecular prognostic factor in various types of cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of CTTN in the pathogenesis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTTN and phospho-CTTN (p-CTTN) expression was determined in 10 healthy controls and 38 CSCC tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. The influence of CTTN on the biological behavior of CSCC cells was also investigated.

RESULTS: p-CTTN expression was significantly increased in CSCC than control samples. In contrast, no significant difference in CTTN expression was found between control and CSCC tissues. Moreover, a significant association was found between recurrence-free survival with p-CTTN expression, but not with CTTN expression. Furthermore, the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of CSCC cells were significantly decreased by CTTN-siRNA transfection.

CONCLUSION: CTTN phosphorylation is strongly associated with CSCC pathogenesis and may serve as a molecular biomarker of CSCC.