Evaluation of autophagy related ATG4B gene, protein and miR-655-3p expression levels in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia

Sep 21, 2026

Objective: Endometrial cancer and hyperplasia present complex, incompletely understood mechanisms, and autophagy is implicated in their development. Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study compared 90 endometrial tissues (30 tumors, 30 normal controls, 30 hyperplasia) by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot, assessing ATG4B gene and protein expression, alongside miR-665-3p levels. Results: ATG4B gene and protein were higher in EC than in hyperplasia and controls, with positive correlation in EC; miR-655-3p correlated negatively with ATG4B in EC. Conclusion: Elevated ATG4B supports a tumor-promoting role and may help monitor EC progression and prognosis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages12

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Abstract

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J Gynecol Oncol. 2025 Mar;36(2):e33 [https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e33](https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e33)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e33)pISSN 2005-0380·eISSN 2005-0399 Original Article Received: Jan 1, 2024 Revised: Jun 10, 2024 Accepted: Aug 16, 2024 Published online: Sep 9, 2024 Correspondence to Soudabeh Fallah Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat HighWay, Tehran 1449614535, Iran. Email: [fallah.s@iums.ac.ir](fallah.s@iums.ac.ir) © 2025. Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ORCID iDs Elmira Mahdinia [https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0160-5111](https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0160-5111)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0160-5111)Rahim Rostami [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-6319](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-6319)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5504-6319)Azadeh Rezaei [https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0907-4447](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0907-4447)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0907-4447)Parvin Ghaderi [https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1424-4566](https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1424-4566)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1424-4566)Sahar Yarahmadi [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-1650](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-1650)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-1650)Soudabeh Fallah [https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3491-9245](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3491-9245) Evaluation of autophagy related ATG4B gene, protein and miR-655-3p expression levels in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia Elmira Mahdinia , Rahim Rostami , Azadeh Rezaei , Parvin Ghaderi , Sahar Yarahmadi , Soudabeh Fallah Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ABSTRACT Objective: The pathogenesis of endometrial cancer (EC) and hyperplasia is complex and poorly understood. Autophagy has emerged as a crucial aspect of this process. Methods: This study examines the role ofautophagy in the pathogenesis ofEC and hyperplasia by investigating the expression of the autophagy-related 4B cysteine peptidase (ATG4B) gene, protein, and miR-665-3p levels in patients compared to a control group. This cross-sectional case control study analyzed 90 endometrial tissues, including 30 tumors, 30 normal controls, and 30 hyperplasia, using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot to assess ATG4B gene and protein levels. Results: Higher ATG4B gene expression levels were found in the endometrial tissue of EC patients than in hyperplasia patients and controls. Furthermore, protein levels ofATG4B were also higher in EC and hyperplasia patients than in controls. ATG4B gene expression and protein levels were positively correlated in EC patients. However, in EC patients, miR-655-3p showed a significant negative correlation with the ATG4B gene and protein levels. Conclusion: ATG4B gene and protein expression is elevated in EC tissue, suggesting their role as a tumor promoter. Evaluating their levels could serve as markers for monitoring EC progression and prognosis. Keywords: Endometrial Cancer; Endometrial Hyperplasia; ATG4B protein; MicroRNA-665-3p Synopsis The present study shows that the ATG4B gene and protein and miR-655-3p are significantly altered in EC, affecting its development, maintenance, and genome damage. These could serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for EC, but further experimental verification is needed before clinical use. The findings suggest that combining autophagy inhibition with cancer treatme

FAQs

What was the main objective of the study?

To evaluate how autophagy contributes to endometrial cancer and hyperplasia by measuring ATG4B gene and protein expression and related miR-655-3p levels.

How were ATG4B gene and protein levels measured?

Endometrial tissues were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for ATG4B gene expression and Western blot for ATG4B protein expression.

What relationships did the study find between ATG4B and miR-655-3p in endometrial cancer?

In endometrial cancer patients, ATG4B gene and protein levels were positively correlated, while miR-655-3p showed a significant negative correlation with both ATG4B gene expression and ATG4B protein levels.

Sep 21, 2026

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