WDR54 enhances NF-κB signaling to promote progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health threat worldwide. This study found that WDR54 is overexpressed in liver cancer tissues and is inversely correlated with patient prognosis. Through comprehensive cell biology experiments, we demonstrated that WDR54 plays a pivotal role in promoting the malignant proliferation and metastasis of HCC. Further molecular biology investigations, including transcriptome sequencing, revealed that WDR54 exerts its biological effects by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Specifically, WDR54 interacts with RBBP5 to enhance the transcription of p65, thereby promoting HCC proliferation and metastasis. Additionally, the potential impact of WDR54 on tumor cell metabolism and tumor heterogeneity is explored. The findings of this study deepen our understanding of the molecular pathology of liver cancer and lay a foundation for future clinical applications.