Open Access

PLK1 inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and triggers apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells

  • Authors:
    • Benchamart Moolmuang
    • Jittiporn Chaisaingmongkol
    • Pattama Singhirunnusorn
    • Mathuros Ruchirawat
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  • Published online on: May 14, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14449
  • Article Number: 316
  • Copyright: © Moolmuang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal cancer originating from the epithelial cells within the bile duct and ranks as the second most prevalent form of liver cancer in Thailand. Polo‑like kinase 1 (PLK1), a protein serine/threonine kinase, regulates a number of steps in cell mitosis and is upregulated in several types of cancer, including CCA. Our previous study identified PLK1 as a biomarker of the C1 subtype, correlating with poor prognosis in intrahepatic CCA. The present study aimed to examine the effect of PLK1 inhibition on CCA cells. Different CCA cell lines developed from Thai patients, HuCCA1, KKU055, KKU100 and KKU213A, were treated with two PLK1 inhibitors, BI2536 and BI6727, and were transfected with small interfering RNA, followed by analysis of cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis. It was discovered that BI2536 and BI6727 inhibited cell proliferation and caused G2/M‑phase arrest in CCA cells. Furthermore, the number of total apoptotic cells was increased in PLK1 inhibitor‑treated CCA cells. The expression levels of mitotic proteins, aurora kinase A, phosphorylated PLK1 (T210) and cyclin B1, were augmented in PLK1‑inhibited CCA cells. Additionally, inhibition of PLK1 led to increased DNA damage, as determined by the upregulated levels of γH2AX and increased cleavage of poly (ADP‑ribose) polymerase, an apoptotic marker. These results suggested that inhibiting PLK1 prolonged mitotic arrest and subsequently triggered cell apoptosis. Validation of the antiproliferative effects of PLK1 inhibition was accomplished through silencing of the PLK1 gene. In conclusion, targeting PLK1 provided promising results for further study as a potential candidate for targeted therapy in CCA.
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July-2024
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Spandidos Publications style
Moolmuang B, Chaisaingmongkol J, Singhirunnusorn P and Ruchirawat M: PLK1 inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and triggers apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Oncol Lett 28: 316, 2024.
APA
Moolmuang, B., Chaisaingmongkol, J., Singhirunnusorn, P., & Ruchirawat, M. (2024). PLK1 inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and triggers apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Oncology Letters, 28, 316. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14449
MLA
Moolmuang, B., Chaisaingmongkol, J., Singhirunnusorn, P., Ruchirawat, M."PLK1 inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and triggers apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells". Oncology Letters 28.1 (2024): 316.
Chicago
Moolmuang, B., Chaisaingmongkol, J., Singhirunnusorn, P., Ruchirawat, M."PLK1 inhibition leads to mitotic arrest and triggers apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells". Oncology Letters 28, no. 1 (2024): 316. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14449