Effects and related mechanisms of serotonin on malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulation of Yap

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29 Scopus citations

Abstract

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and Yes-associated protein (Yap), which act as a mitogen and an oncogene, respectively, play an important role in tumors. Here, we investigated whether 5-HT could affect the hepatocarcinogenic process via promoting the activation and expression of Yap, as well as the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that 5-HT promoted hepatoma cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis via regulating Yap expression in vitro and in vivo, and Yap knockdown had opposite effects. Furthermore, 5-HT activated 5-5-HT2BR to promote Yap expression via upregulating the pERK level. Inhibitors of 5-5-HT2BR and ERK attenuated the overexpression of Yap and promotional effects of 5-HT in vitro and in vivo. As a result, 5-HT affected the malignant biological behavior of hepatoma cells via the 5-HT-5-HT2BR-pERK-Yap axis. Therefore, 5-HT and Yap may be prognostic predictors and potential therapeutic targets for HCC patients in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47412-47424
Number of pages13
JournalOncotarget
Volume8
Issue number29
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 5-5-HTR
  • 5-HT
  • ERK
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Yap

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