Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer

  • Authors:
    • Ioannis Gkouveris
    • Nikolaos Nikitakis
    • Maria Karanikou
    • George Rassidakis
    • Alexandra Sklavounou
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  • Published online on: August 22, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3440
  • Pages: 2175-2182
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Abstract

Constitutive activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway possesses confirmed oncogenic potential in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Crosstalk with other molecular pathways contributes to STAT3 regulation in cancer. The effects of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and particularly extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) on STAT3 signaling in OSCC have not been thoroughly investigated. The present study examined the effects of Erk1/2 modulation on STAT3 signaling and cell growth in OSCC cells. Constitutive expression levels of phosphorylated (tyrosine and serine) and total STAT3, Erk1/2 and cyclin D1 were assessed in OSCC cell lines. Erk1/2 modulation was achieved by pharmacological agents; siRNA silencing against Erk1/2 was also performed. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed. Erk1/2 inhibition with either U0126 treatment or specific siRNA silencing resulted in decreases in p-ser STAT3 and cyclin D1 levels and increases in p-tyr STAT3 in OSCC cells. Moreover, Erk1/2 inhibition resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in OSCC cell growth and viability. Erk1/2 induction had the opposite effects. Taken together, these results are supportive of an active crosstalk between the oncogenic Erk1/2 and STAT3 pathways in OSCC, the significance of which requires further investigation.
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November-2014
Volume 32 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Gkouveris I, Nikitakis N, Karanikou M, Rassidakis G and Sklavounou A: Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer. Oncol Rep 32: 2175-2182, 2014.
APA
Gkouveris, I., Nikitakis, N., Karanikou, M., Rassidakis, G., & Sklavounou, A. (2014). Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer. Oncology Reports, 32, 2175-2182. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3440
MLA
Gkouveris, I., Nikitakis, N., Karanikou, M., Rassidakis, G., Sklavounou, A."Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer". Oncology Reports 32.5 (2014): 2175-2182.
Chicago
Gkouveris, I., Nikitakis, N., Karanikou, M., Rassidakis, G., Sklavounou, A."Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer". Oncology Reports 32, no. 5 (2014): 2175-2182. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3440