#0494

MKRN1 as a Tumor Suppressor in Renal Angiomyolipomas: Regulation of ERK/MAPK Pathway

T. Chang¹, T. Wang¹, C. Chuang², Y. Hsu²

¹Chang Gung University, Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
²Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan

Introduction:

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are benign kidney tumors that can exhibit aggressive behavior. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of the ERK/MAPK pathway in tumor growth, but the role of makorin ring finger protein 1 (MKRN1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in AML pathogenesis remains unclear. This study explores the role of MKRN1 in regulating cell proliferation in AMLs by modulating the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Material and methods:

MKRN1 expression was assessed in AML tissues via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time PCR. AML cell lines (SV7, UMB) were transfected with MKRN1 expression plasmids. Cell proliferation was analyzed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of RNA-Seq data and Western blotting were conducted to investigate the role of MKRN1 in the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Results:

MKRN1 expression was significantly lower in AML tissues compared to adjacent normal renal tissues. Overexpression of MKRN1 inhibited AML cell proliferation. GSEA revealed that MKRN1 downregulates the ERK/MAPK pathway, which was confirmed by a significant reduction in phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) levels in MKRN1-overexpressing cells.