GFPT1 promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer via regulating the ubiquitination and degradation of PTEN

Abstract Cervical cancer demonstrates the fourth incidence and death rate in females worldwide. Glutamine--fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1 (GFPT1), the first rate-limited enzyme of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, has been reported to promote the progression of cancers. However, the prognostic value and roles of GFPT1 in cervical cancer are largely unknown. Transcription expression data for cervical cancer were downloaded from public databases. GFPT1 overexpressed and knockdown cell lines were constructed. Colony formation assays, Edu assays and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to measure the proliferation capabilities of cervical cancer cells. Western blot, Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation assays were performed to verify the interaction between GFPT1and Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Animal assays were applied to verify the results in vivo. GFPT1 expression was higher in cervical cancer cell lines. The proliferation capabilities of cervical cancer cells were suppressed in GFPT1 knockdown cells and GFPT1 inhibitor L-DON treated cells. And overexpression of GFPT1 promoted cell proliferation. PTEN was up-regulated in GFPT1 knockdown cells and downregulated in GFPT1 overexpression cells. Immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation results showed that GFPT1 was co-localized and interacted with PTEN. GFPT1 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of PTEN. Silence of PTEN offsets the growth inhibition of cervical cancer caused by GFPT1 knockdown. Animal assays showed that GFPT1 promoted the proliferation of cervical cancer in vivo. Our study revealed that GFPT1 could promote the progression of cervical cancer by regulating PTEN expression. Our study highlights the GFPT1-PTEN regulation as a potential therapy target for cervical cancer. .