The effect and mechanism of USP20 on the malignant biological behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma through NF-κB signaling pathway

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2025.04.004

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To explore the effects and mechanisms of ubiquitin specific protease 20(USP20) on the malignant biological behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) through the nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS: The expression of USP20 in OSCC tissues was studied by bioinformatics analysis, Western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining. The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database was used to explore the correlation between USP20 and OSCC clinicopathological indicators. Human tongue squamous cell carcinoma CAL-27 cells with stable and lower expression of USP20 were constructed to investigate the effect of USP20 on the malignant biological behavior of OSCC through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The potential mechanism of USP20 affecting OSCC was explored through high-throughput RNA sequencing, combined with quantitative analysis of sequencing results and protein Western blot. RESULTS: USP20 was overexpressed in OSCC tissues. Knockdown of USP20 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of CAL-27 cells in vitro, and inhibited the growth of CAL-27 cell xenograft tumors. Knockdown of USP20 could inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway in CAL-27 cells and inhibit the malignant behavior of tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: USP20 is overexpressed in OSCC and promotes the growth and metastasis of OSCC through NF-κB signaling pathway.

Key words: USP20, Ubiquitin specific protease, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, CAL-27, NF-κB, malignant biological behavior, Oncogene

CLC Number:

R739.8

Liu Bo, Zhai Xiaoqi, Liu Yulu, Wang Sidan, Guan Jian. The effect and mechanism of USP20 on the malignant biological behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma through NF-κB signaling pathway[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2025, 23(4): 331-339.

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