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image of Role of TPD52 in Endometrial Cancer: Impact on EMT and the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK Signaling

Abstract

Introduction

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) incidence and mortality continue to rise, and reliable therapeutic targets remain scarce. We aimed to define the oncogenic role and mechanism of tumor protein D52 (TPD52) in EC, focusing on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways.

Methods

In this study, we assessed the expression levels of TPD52 in EC tissues and benign endometrial tissues using immunohistochemistry. To further investigate the role of TPD52, we performed experiments both and . We transfected siRNA and overexpression (OE) plasmids into Ishikawa and HEC-1-A cell lines to knock down (KD) or overexpress TPD52, respectively. We observed the effects of TPD52 knockdown on tumor growth and EMT through experiments.

Results

TPD52 was significantly upregulated in EC tissues compared with those of benign endometrial tissues. Silencing TPD52 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas TPD52 overexpression produced the opposite effects. TPD52 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, TPD52 stimulates the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways.

Discussion

These data position TPD52 as a bona fide EC oncoprotein that drives EMT dual PI3K/AKT–ERK/MAPK signaling. Limitations include the modest patient cohort and the lack of clinical–pathological correlation analyses.

Conclusion

TPD52 promotes EC progression through EMT and PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK activation, offering a promising therapeutic target whose clinical utility warrants further investigation.

© 2025 Bentham Science publishers
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2025-10-23
2025-11-29

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Role of TPD52 in Endometrial Cancer: Impact on EMT and the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK Signaling
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/0109298665400400251003013958
/content/journals/ppl/10.2174/0109298665400400251003013958
/content/journals/ppl/10.2174/0109298665400400251003013958
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: therapeutic targets ; ERK/MAPK signaling pathway ; tumor protein D52 ; PI3K/AKT signaling pathway ; Endometrial cancer ; epithelial-mesenchymal transition

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