504 CERKL expression enhances survival in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Ceramide Kinase-Like Protein (CERKL) was originally described in retinal tissue. CERKL is thought to protect cells from oxidative stress, and mutations in CERKL underlie the inherited disease retinitis pigmentosa. Using RNA-seq and qPCR, we find that CERKL is upregulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), as compared to normal keratinocytes or normal epidermis. Immunostaining confirms that CERKL expression is increased in cSCC and actinic keratosis compared to normal intrafollicular epidermis, and also is upregulated in metabolically active sites such as the hair bulb and sebaceous glands. CERKL protects cSCC cells from oxidative stress, as CERKL inactivation with siRNA leads to increased apoptosis when cSCC cells are exposed to oxidative stress through H2O2. These findings demonstrate that CERKL is important in cSCC survival and may lead to novel strategies for prevention or treatment of cSCC.