Gastric cancer (GC) represents a significant global health burden, ranking as the fifth most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While early-stage gastric cancer can be effectively treated with surgical intervention, advanced GC, which is often characterized by metastatic spread, has a dismal prognosis. The median survival time for patients with metastatic GC is less than one year. [1–3]. Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer death [4, 5]. Therefore, the exploration of new targets and potential mechanisms for GC transfer is urgently needed.
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), such as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and serine-arginine-rich (SR) proteins, play crucial roles in regulating splicing [6]. These RNA-binding proteins play crucial roles in whole RNA biogenesis. Among these, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) have been implicated in various aspects of cancer development, including cell proliferation, migration, and tumorigenesis [7–9]. Previous studies have shown that specific heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, hnRNPs, such as hnRNP-F and hnRNP Q1, are involved in regulating crucial processes such as epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell proliferation, and tumorigenesis in other cancers [10][11]. Moreover, the splicing factor serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) is involved in the progression and metastasis of breast [12] and lung cancer [13]. These findings highlight the potential of targeting splicing factors as a novel therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
HNRNPAB (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B) is a single-stranded DNA-binding protein that interacts with the CarG frame CC (rich in A/T) 6GG in α-smooth muscle actin [14]. HNRNPAB contains 331 amino acid residues. HNRNPAB consists of a distinct nonconserved N-terminal region, a highly conserved central region containing two RNA binding domains (RBDs), and a glycine-rich conserved C-terminal region [15–18]. This arrangement is present in many heterogeneous ribonucleic acid-binding proteins (HNRNPs)[18]. Previous research has shown that hnRNPAB promotes metastasis in other cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [19–21]. However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of hnRNPAB in GC invasion and migration remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the preceding puzzle.
Wnt signal transduction is mediated by various protein complexes, including GSK3β, which target β-catenin for degradation through ubiquitination and subsequently block its nuclear translocation. However, ubiquitin-mediated inhibition of β-catenin degradation in the presence of Wnt stimulation (inactivated GSK3β) leads to cytoplasmic accumulation and subsequent nuclear translocation of β-catenin [22–24]. Nuclear β-catenin then binds to the TCF/LCF family to activate several target genes, including c-myc and cyclin D1, which are involved in cell proliferation. Wnt/β-catenin alterations are evident in human malignancies. The Wnt signaling pathway, a key regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, including GC, and may be influenced by the activity of hnRNPAB. [23].
The Wnt signaling pathway, a key regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, including GC. This pathway is mediated by various protein complexes, including GSK3β, which targets β-catenin for degradation through ubiquitination, effectively blocking its nuclear translocation. However, when Wnt signaling is activated (inactivated GSK3β), ubiquitin-mediated inhibition of β-catenin degradation is blocked, leading to its cytoplasmic accumulation and subsequent nuclear translocation. [22–24] Once in the nucleus, β-catenin binds to the TCF/LCF family, activating target genes such as c-myc and cyclin D1, which are involved in cell proliferation. This pathway may be influenced by the activity of hnRNPAB, a factor that plays a significant role in the development and progression of cancer. [23]. This study aimed to investigate the role of hnRNPAB in GC progression and metastasis. Specifically, we hypothesize that hnRNPAB promotes GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating the Wnt pathway through Akt/GSK3β phosphorylation. Our findings could provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying GC metastasis and identify hnRNPAB as a potential therapeutic target.