Naa10p Enhances Chemosensitivity to Cisplatin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the function and underlying molecular mechanism of N-α-acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p) in cisplatin (CDDP) chemosensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Salivary Naa10p levels in 76 OSCC patients undergoing CDDP-based chemotherapy were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to examine the expression of Naa10p in constructed CDDP-resistant OSCC cell (Cal-27/CDDP) lines and nude mouse model. In addition, the tumor volume and weight of nude mice were analyzed. Lentiviral system was employed to establish and identify OSCC cell lines with stable Naa10p interference or overexpression. MTT assay was used for drug sensitivity analysis. P-gp and Bcl-2 expression levels were tested by Western blot. RESULTS: Higher salivary Naa10p expression was present in the complete response/partial response group (n=46) compared to the stable disease/progressive disease group (n=30) in OSCC patients receiving chemotherapy treatment. Naa10p expression was down-regulated in Cal-27/CDDP cells and tissues. Naa10p overexpression significantly reduced the expression level of drug-resistant molecules. Naa10p was related to CDDP resistance and enhanced CDDP sensitivity in OSCC according to drug sensitivity analysis and nude mouse model experiments. CONCLUSION: Naa10p plays a tumor suppressor gene role and is associated with CDDP resistance in OSCC. It can enhance CDDP sensitivity in OSCC and may be a potential target for OSCC chemotherapy.