Abstract LB-190: CDC25A suppression of apoptosis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma depends on 14-3-3ϵ

• Published in: Cancer research (Chicago, Ill.) Vol. 78; no. 13_Supplement; p. LB-190
• Main Authors: Holmes, Thomas R., Al-Matouq, Jenan, Hammiller, Brianna, Nicholson, Yawah T., Holmes, Matti J., Hansen, Laura A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2018
• ISSN: 0008-5472; 1538-7445
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.AM2018-LB-190

Cytoplasmic relocalization of the dual-specificity phosphatase, CDC25A, occurs during nonmelanoma skin cancer development and progression, leading to suppression of cell death. Cytoplasmic CDC25A is phosphorylated at Ser178, which allows for its association with 14-3-3ϵ. 14-3-3ϵ is a member of the 14-3-3 family of proteins that bind phosphoserine/threonine-containing proteins and are involved in various processes including scaffolding, nuclear transport, protein degradation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and cell signaling. We hypothesized that CDC25A's antiapoptotic function depends upon 14-3-3ϵ binding to trigger activation of prosurvival signaling pathways in SCC cells. Co-immunoprecipitation of CDC25A from the SCC cell line SCC12B.2 followed by immunoblotting for 14-3-3ϵ confirmed an association between CDC25A and14-3-3ϵ. CDC25A over-expression in SCC12B.2 cells reduced apoptosis by approximately 50%, as assessed by a caspase 3/7 glo assay. However, inhibition of 14-3-3ϵ with the peptide R18, or silencing of 14-3-3ϵ, blocked the anti-apoptotic effect of CDC25A in SCC cells. Treatment with serial dilutions of R18 increased cell death with an IC50 of 8.9 μM in SCC12B.2 cells. Interestingly, over-expression of CDC25A significantly increased P-Akt (p=0.011), P-BAD (p=0.034) and Survivin (p=0.036) when compared to control. Consistent with our hypothesis that 14-3-3ϵ facilitates CDC25A's antiapoptotic activity, silencing of 14-3-3ϵ decreased P-Akt (p=0.044), P-BAD (p=0.034) and Survivin (p=0.008). Taken together, these results indicate that cytoplasmic CDC25A and 14-3-3ϵ interact in skin carcinomas to suppress apoptosis through a mechanism involving activation of Akt/BAD/Survivin signaling, rendering SCC cells sensitive to 14-3-3ϵ or CDC25A inhibition, a mechanism that requires further study.
Citation Format: Thomas R. Holmes, Jenan Al-Matouq, Brianna Hammiller, Yawah T. Nicholson, Matti J. Holmes, Laura A. Hansen. CDC25A suppression of apoptosis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma depends on 14-3-3ϵ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-190.