DDX46 silencing inhibits cell proliferation by activating apoptosis and autophagy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

DEAD-Box Helicase 46 (DDX46) is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that plays a central role in transcription splicing and ribosome assembly. However, the role of DDX46 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of DDX46 in CSCC by assessing DDX46 expression levels in CSCC tissues and cell lines. The effect of DDX46 silencing on CSCC cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy were also analyzed. It was demonstrated that DDX46 was significantly overexpressed in CSCC tissues and cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, it was found that DDX46 silencing could dramatically inhibit cell proliferation (P<0.05). Moreover, cell apoptosis and autophagy were activated in DDX46 silencing groups (P<0.05). Therefore, the present results suggested that DDX46 was overexpressed in CSCC and that DDX46 silencing can inhibit cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and activating autophagy. Thus, DDX46 may serve as a novel potential therapeutic target for CSCC.