Study on the mechanism of KIF2C/PLK1 in the growth and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor characterized by challenging early symptom detection, rapid growth, extensive infiltration, and frequent lymph node metastasis, resulting in a generally unfavorable prognosis. Given the heterogeneity and high metastatic potential of OSCC, there is a need for more effective therapeutic targets. This study aims to investigate the impact of kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C) and Polo-like protein kinase 1 (PLK1) on OSCC progression and their potential interaction. Through the utilization of immunohistochemistry and western blot experiments, it was determined that the expressions of KIF2C and PLK1 were significantly upregulated in human oral cancer tissues and OSCC cell lines (SCC9, SCC25, Cal27). Subsequently, an OSCC cell was selected for analysis based on the detection of KIF2C expression (qPCR, WB) in the OSCC cell line. Following transfection with KIF2C and PLK1 interference vectors, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells were assessed using the CCK-8 method, EdU proliferation experiment, wound closure method, and Transwell method. Flow cytometry (FCM) and western blot techniques were utilized to assess alterations in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC cells. Our findings indicate that KIF2C influences the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of oral cancer cells, suggesting a potential association between KIF2C and PLK1. Specifically, KIF2C was found to enhance EMT, matrix degradation, and angiogenesis in OSCC cells by up-regulating PLK1. Subsequent flow cytometry analysis revealed that KIF2C and PLK1 suppressed apoptosis in cancer cells and induced proliferation in the S phase, thereby promoting cell proliferation. The association between the expression levels of KIF2C and PLK1 and the development and advancement of OSCC was confirmed, suggesting their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic markers for OSCC.