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Gamma-synuclein binds to AKT and promotes cancer cell survival and proliferation

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

Hyperactivation of AKT plays a critical role in the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying AKT activation remain elusive. Here, we tested the effect of γ-synuclein, a member of the synuclein family of proteins, on the activation of AKT. We show that the expression level of γ-synuclein is increased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. γ-Synuclein binds to the protein kinase domain of AKT and promotes its phosphorylation. Overexpression of γ-synuclein in H157 cells enhances cell proliferation and protects the cells from staurosporine-induced cytotoxicity. Knockdown of γ-synuclein attenuates AKT activation and cell proliferation induced by epidermal growth factor. The effect of γ-synuclein is abolished when AKT is depleted. Thus, γ-synuclein promotes cell survival and proliferation via activating AKT and may play a causal role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China

    Zengxia Ma, Erlian Sun & Yuanrong Ju

  2. Department of Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital, Jinan, 250013, China

    Zengxia Ma, Xuedong Rong & Xianxin Zhang

  3. Department of Neurology, Yidu Central Hospital, Weifang Medical University, Qingzhou, 262500, China

    Jianyi Niu

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  1. Zengxia Ma
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  2. Jianyi Niu
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  3. Erlian Sun
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  4. Xuedong Rong
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  5. Xianxin Zhang
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  6. Yuanrong Ju
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Correspondence to Yuanrong Ju.

Additional information

Zengxia Ma and Jianyi Niu contributed equally to this work.

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Ma, Z., Niu, J., Sun, E. et al. Gamma-synuclein binds to AKT and promotes cancer cell survival and proliferation. Tumor Biol. 37, 14999–15005 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-016-5371-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-016-5371-9

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