MYBL2 regulates the expression of CENPF in lung adenocarcinoma and promotes tumor development and metastasis through AKT pathway activation.

OBJECTIVES

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major global health burden with high mortality. Elevated expression of MYBL2 and CENPF is correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in LUAD. However, the relationship between MYBL2 and CENPF and the downstream signaling pathways of MYBL2 and CENPF in LUAD remains elusive.

METHODS

We investigated MYBL2 and CENPF expression in TCGA data and clinical LUAD samples, identifying a significant correlation. Functional studies in A549 cells demonstrated that MYBL2 acts upstream of CENPF, promoting tumor proliferation and migration. This oncogenic effect was mediated through AKT signaling, as AKT inhibition phenocopied the suppressive effects of CENPF knockdown.

RESULTS

Analysis of TCGA data and clinical specimens confirmed significant upregulation of MYBL2 and CENPF in LUAD compared to normal tissues. Their expression correlated positively with advanced disease stage and poorer prognosis across diverse patient subgroups. Functional studies demonstrated that MYBL2 acts upstream of CENPF, as its overexpression elevated CENPF levels, while its knockdown reduced them. CENPF depletion markedly attenuated LUAD cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, both MYBL2 overexpression and CENPF knockdown modulated AKT pathway activation, as evidenced by altered phosphorylation levels. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of AKT with GDC-0068 recapitulated the anti-tumor effects observed with CENPF knockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of MYBL2 and CENPF in lung adenocarcinoma increases with LUAD progression. MYBL2 regulates the expression of CENPF in LUAD, and the elevated CENPF promotes the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells. Both MYBL2 and CENPF regulate the proliferation and migration of LUAD through AKT pathway activation.