Mitofusin-2 Expression Is Implicated in Cervical Cancer Pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It remains unclear whether mitofusin-2 (MFN2) functions as a tumour suppressor or oncogene in cancer progression. In this study we, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of MFN2 on the pathogenesis of cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: MFN2 expression was detected in seven healthy cervical, 64 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 120 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, biological function of MFN2 in cervical cancer was investigated in vitro.

RESULTS: MFN2 levels exhibited a tendency to gradually increase from healthy cervical tissue to CIN to SCC. Moreover, MFN2 expression was significantly associated with higher T-stage (p=0.008) and lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). The proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of MFN2-knockdown cells were significantly lower (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively) than control cells.

CONCLUSION: MFN2 may be involved in cervical cancer pathogenesis as an oncogene and might serve as a biomarker of cervical SCC.