CPT1A mediates radiation sensitivity in colorectal cancer
Zhenhui Chen,
Lu Yu,
Zhihao Zheng,
Xusheng Wang,
Qiqing Guo,
Yuchuan Chen,
Yaowei Zhang,
Yuqin Zhang,
Jianbiao Xiao,
Keli Chen,
Hongying Fan,
Yi Ding
Affiliations
Zhenhui Chen
Department of Microbiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Zhihao Zheng
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Xusheng Wang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Qiqing Guo
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Yuchuan Chen
State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Yaowei Zhang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Yuqin Zhang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Jianbiao Xiao
Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital and School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Keli Chen
HuiQiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Hongying Fan
Department of Microbiology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
The prevalence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing worldwide. Radiation resistance hinders radiotherapy, a standard treatment for advanced CRC, leading to local recurrence and metastasis. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying radioresistance in CRC is critical to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. Bioinformatic analysis and tumour tissue examination were conducted to investigate the CPT1A mRNA and protein levels in CRC and their correlation with radiotherapy efficacy. Furthermore, lentiviral overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vectors, along with in vitro and in vivo radiation experiments, were used to explore the effect of CPT1A on radiosensitivity. Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing, molecular biology experiments, and bioinformatic analyses were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CPT1A regulates radiosensitivity. CPT1A was significantly downregulated in CRC and negatively correlated with responsiveness to neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Functional studies suggested that CPT1A mediates radiosensitivity, influencing reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and DNA damage response. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses highlighted the involvement of the peroxisomal pathway. Mechanistic exploration revealed that CPT1A downregulates the FOXM1-SOD1/SOD2/CAT axis, moderating cellular ROS levels after irradiation and enhancing radiosensitivity. CPT1A downregulation contributes to radioresistance in CRC by augmenting the FOXM1-mediated antioxidant response. Thus, CPT1A is a potential biomarker of radiosensitivity and a novel target for overcoming radioresistance, offering a future direction to enhance CRC radiotherapy.
