iTRAQ‐based proteomic analysis of the molecular mechanisms and downstream effects of fatty acid synthase in osteosarcoma cells

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a lipogenic enzyme that participates in tumor progression. We previously showed that FASN is dysregulated in OS malignancy, but the molecular mechanism(s) of these effects remained unclear. METHODS: We examined differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in FASN‐silenced osteosarcoma 143B cells and their parental cells by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Differentially expressed proteins were classified using GO and KEGG analysis. The association between FASN and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1) was confirmed using qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The function of HNRNPA1 in osteosarcoma was determined using CCK‐8, colony formation, wound healing, transwell migration, and invasion assays. RESULTS: Among the 4971 identified proteins, 567 DEPs (325 upregulated and 242 downregulated) were identified. The top 10 upregulated proteins comprised HIST1H2AB, INA, INTS5, MTCH2, EIF1, MAPK1IP1L, PXK, RPS27, PM20D2, and ZNF800, while the top 10 downregulated proteins comprised NDRG1, CNTLN, STON2, GDF7, HECTD3, HBB, TPM1, PPP4R4, PTTG1IP, and PLCB3. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the DEPs were related to cellular processes, metabolic processes, biological regulation, binding, and catalytic activity. HNRNPA1 was dysregulated in FASN‐silenced 143B and HOS cells. qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry showed that FASN expression positively correlates with HNRNPA1 expression. Further studies indicated that HNRNPA1 correlates with OS diagnosis and prognosis. And HNRNPA1 silence inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion in OS cells. CONCLUSION: HNRNPA1 acts as targets downstream of FASN and potential biomarker and oncogene in OS.