γ-Synuclein promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma via JAK2/STAT5b signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT

γ-Synuclein (SNCG) has various biological functions associated with tumorigenesis. However, the role of SNCG in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. In this study, we found that SNCG expression is associated with the malignancy of OSCC. We showed that SNCG promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in OSCC. Mechanistically, we demonstrated for the first time, that SNCG interacts with ERK1/2 and promotes its phosphorylation leading to activation of the JAK2/STAT5b signaling pathway. Subsequent experiments with STAT5b interference and ERK1/2 inhibitor treatment reversed the effects of SNCG on OSCC cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression. Our findings suggest that SNCG functions as an oncogene in OSCC by targeting the JAK2/STAT5b axis and thus may be a potential new prognostic marker and therapeutic target in OSCC.