Functional analysis of serotonin signaling in the progression of squamous cell carcinoma

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16315
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50010:Tumor biology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Science
• Principal Investigator: Okazaki Shogo 東京理科大学, 研究推進機構生命医科学研究所, 助教 (20784044)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 扁平上皮癌 / 細胞分化 / セロトニン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed the effect of the serotonin receptor HTR7, which is highly expressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, esophagus, and lung, on malignant tumor progression. Knockdown of HTR7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines resulted in a marked decrease in tumorigenicity and undifferentiated tumor cells in vivo. In vitro, knockdown of HTR7 promoted cell differentiation. Furthermore, knockdown of G12, a G protein downstream of HTR7 signaling, also promoted cell differentiation. These results indicate that HTR7 contributes to the progression of squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing cell differentiation through G12 signaling.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

臨床における有効な扁平上皮癌の治療法は限られており、さらなる新規治療法の開発が望まれる。本研究においては、セロトニン受容体ＨＴＲ７が扁平上皮癌の分化を抑制することで、悪性腫瘍の進展に関わっていることが明らかとなった。ＨＴＲ７はすでに多くのアンタゴニストが開発されている受容体でおり、本研究の成果により、これらＨＴＲ７に対するアンタゴニストが扁平上皮癌に対する新規治療薬として応用できる可能性が示された。