Knockdown of SHMT2 enhances the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to radiotherapy through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Summary

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. The mechanism of GC radioresistance and new radiosensitizers must be revealed and developed to treat GC. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is responsible for encoding the mitochondrial form of the pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme. SHMT2 plays a critical role in several types of cancers, while its possible effect on the radiological resistance in GC is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of SHMT2 in the radiological resistance of GC. Our data confirmed that SHMT2 was highly expressed in radiation-resistant GC cells. SHMT2 reduced the radiosensitivity of GC cells. In addition, SHMT2 is involved in radiation-induced GC cell apoptosis. Further, SHMT2 regulated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, therefore reducing the radiosensitivity of GC cells in vivo. In conclusion, we revealed that depletion of SHMT2 enhanced the sensitivity of GC cells to interventional radiotherapy through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. © 2022 Yu Mao and Tiyong Zhang, published by De Gruyter.

Authors Mao Y, Zhang T
Journal Open life sciences
Publication Date 2022;17(1):1249-1255
PubMed 36213384
PubMed Central PMC9490860
DOI 10.1515/biol-2022-0480

Research Projects

Cell Lines