Downregulation of NCL attenuates tumor formation and growth in cervical cancer by targeting the PI3K/AKT pathway

Nucleolin (NCL, C23) is a multifunctional phosphoprotein that plays a vital role in modulating the survival, proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the effects of NCL on cervical cancer and the underlying mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. In the study presented here, Hela cells were transfected with shRNAs targeting the endogenous NCL gene (sh-NCL-Hela). NCL knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that NCL knockdown inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating FGF, ITGA, TNXB, VEGF, Caspase 3, and Bax, as well as by downregulating AKT, GNB4, CDK6, IL6R, LAMA, PDGFD, PPP2RSA and BCL-2. In addition, the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes after using a PI3K inhibitor LY294002 were consistent with shRNA studies, while treatment with a 740Y-P agonist showed the opposite effect. Altogether, this study uncovered that downregulation of NCL may be a novel treatment strategy for cervical cancer.