Characterization of Kinesin Family Member 2C as a Proto-Oncogene in Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Kinesin family member 2C (<i>KIF2C</i>) is known as an oncogenic gene to regulate tumor progression and metastasis. However, its pan-cancer analysis has not been reported. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of <i>KIF2C</i> in various cancers. We found that <i>KIF2C</i> was highly expressed and corresponded to a poor prognosis in various cancers. We also found a significant correlation between KIF2C and clinicopathological characteristics, particularly in cervical cancer, which is the most common gynecological malignancy and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. <i>KIF2C</i> mutation is strongly associated with the survival rate of cervical cancer, and <i>KIF2C</i> expression was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cervical cancer cells. Moreover, <i>KIF2C</i> promoted cervical cancer cells proliferation, invasion, and migration <i>in vitro</i> and as well increased tumor growth <i>in vivo</i>. <i>KIF2C</i> knockdown promotes the activation of the p53 signaling pathway by regulating the expression of related proteins. The rescue assay with KIF2C and p53 double knockdown partially reversed the inhibitory influence of KIF2C silencing on cervical cancer processes. In summary, our study provided a relatively comprehensive description of <i>KIF2C</i> as an oncogenic gene and suggested <i>KIF2C</i> as a therapeutic target for cervical cancer.