Effects of UHRF1 on Estrogen Receptor and Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of BCPAP Cells in Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma

  Objective  To investigate the effects of ubiquitin-like PDH and ring finger domain 1 (UHRF1) on the expression ratio of estrogen receptor (ER) α/ERβ, and to explore the experimental mechanism of UHRF1 affecting the proliferation, invasion and migration of BCPAP cells in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

  Methods  The protein and mRNA expressions of UHRF1, ERα and ERβ in normal thyroid Nthy-ori3-1 cells and thyroid papillary carcinoma BCPAP cells were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. BCPAP cells were treated with Scrambled siRNA and UHRF1 siRNA, respectively. The expressions of ERα and ERβ mRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR. MTT and Transwell were used to determine the proliferation, invasion and migration in each group of BCPAP cells.

  Results  Compared with Nthy-ori3-1 cells, the expressions of UHRF1 and ERα proteins and mRNAs in BCPAP cells were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05), while the expressions of ERβ protein and mRNA were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with the control group and Scrambled siRNA group, the expression of ERα mRNA in BCPAP cells transfected with UHRF1 siRNA was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the expression of ERβ mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.05). The proliferation, invasion and migration of BCPAP cells transfected with UHRF1 siRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.05).

  Conclusion  UHRF1 upregulates ERα/ERβ expression ratio and promotes proliferation, invasion and migration of BCPAP cells in papillary thyroid carcinoma.