The Role and Mechanism of Action of Alpha-Crystallin B Chain in the Development of Cervical Cancer: A Laboratory Study

Abstract

Background: Alpha-crystallin B chain (CRYAB) is a small-molecule heat-shock protein whose function primarily binds misfolded proteins to prevent protein aggregation and contribute to the intracellular architecture. This study aimed to investigate the role of CRYAB in cervical cancer (CC). Methods: The expression of CRYAB in CC was analyzed using GEPIA2 online tool and detected in CC cell lines HeLa and SiHa using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The CRYAB overexpression virus vector was constructed, packaged and infected HeLa and SiHa cells. After the induction of CRYAB overexpression, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell migration, and invasion capabilities were examined. Then, RNA sequencing for cells overexpressing CRYAB and subsequent bioinformatic analysis were performed, to screen for key pathways and genes that are associated with the function of CRYAB. Results: CRYAB expression was significantly decreased in CC tissues and cell lines. After CRYAB overexpression was induced, the viability of HeLa and SiHa cells decreased, apoptosis increased, and S-phase cells decreased significantly. Moreover, CRYAB overexpression significantly weakened the migration and invasion abilities of cells. Sequencing results showed that after CRYAB was overexpressed, 1858 genes demonstrated high expression and 1837 genes showed low expression. Results of the bioinformatic analysis showed that the differential expression genes were mainly enriched in the FoxO signaling pathway, endocytosis, cell cycle, and other pathways. Conclusions: CRYAB affects cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell migration and invasion, and may participate in CC development.