HSDL2 Acts as a Promoter in Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating Cell Proliferation and Lipid Metabolism

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase like protein 2 (HSDL2) is overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumors and is might be closely related to the development of cancer. It also regulates different metabolism and signaling pathways. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to find HSDL2 expression levels and investigate its underlying molecular mechanism in PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present study, a total of 66 PC samples and 54 normal tissues were used to examine the expression of HSDL2. In order to gain a broader insight into the molecular mechanism of HSDL2 in PC, the HSDL2 siRNA sequences were transfected into PC cell lines (Bxpc-3 and Panc-1), respectively. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT, colony formation assay and EdU assays. Furthermore, the lipid metabolism process was evaluated by triglyceride and phospholipid assay kits, BODIPY 493/503 staining and the expression of several pivotal lipid metabolic enzymes in PC. RESULTS: In this study, HSDL2 was highly expressed in PC and connected with shorter overall survival. When HSDL2 was silenced, the cell proliferation was significantly reduced, and the lipid metabolism was further inhibited. CONCLUSION: High expression of HSDL2 plays an important role in the progression of PC and might be a potential new biomarker of poor prognosis as well as a therapeutic target in the future.