Abstract
BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignant neoplasms. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) plays a key role in the lipid remodelling and is correlated with various neoplasms. Nonetheless, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of LPCAT1 underlying HCC remain obscure.MethodsIn the present study, we investigated the role of LPCAT1 in the progression of HCC. In-house RT-qPCR, tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression levels and the clinical value of LPCAT1 in HCC. External datasets were downloaded to confirm the results. Proliferation, migration, invasiveness, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays were conducted to reveal the biological effects LPCAT1 has on SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells. HCC differentially expressed genes and LPCAT1 co-expressed genes were identified to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC progression.ResultsLPCAT1 showed upregulated expression in 3715 HCC specimens as opposed to 3105 non-tumour specimens. Additionally, LPCAT1 might be an independent prognostic factor for HCC. LPCAT1-knockout hampered cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis in SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells. More importantly, the cell cycle and chemical carcinogenesis were the two most enriched signalling pathways.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that increased LPCAT1 correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients and fuelled HCC progression by promoting cellular growth, migration, and metastasis.
Highlights
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignant neoplasms
Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1), encoded by Lysophos‐ phatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1), is a phospholipid biosynthesis/remodelling enzyme that plays a key role in the lipid remodelling pathway referred to as Lands’ cycle [14, 15]
LPCAT1 participates in phospholipid metabolism by catalysing the conversion from lysophosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylcholine and has been demonstrated to be correlated with various neoplasms, including hepatoma, acute myeloid leukaemia [13], breast cancer [16], clear cell renal cell carcinoma [17], colorectal cancer [18], esophageal cancer, lung adenocarcinoma [19], oral squamous cell carcinoma [20], and prostate cancer [21]
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignant neoplasms. Lysophos‐ phatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) plays a key role in the lipid remodelling and is correlated with various neo‐ plasms. As a basic material of life, phospholipids play an important role in maintaining normal cellular structures, homeostasis, and fundamental cellular biological. He et al Cancer Cell Int (2021) 21:442 functions [12]. The alteration of the phospholipid component regulated by LPCAT1 promotes cell proliferation and membrane fluidity, causing the occurrence and development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma [17]. Such findings indicate the vital roles LPCAT1 play in tumour onset and progression. More experiments must be conducted to determine the key roles of LPCAT1 in HCC and to design novel therapeutic targets
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