UPF1 inhibits cervical cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating nonsense-mediated decay of BMP6 and lncRNA WAKMAR2

Sep 23, 2026

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Study of Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) in cervical cancer was conducted because its regulatory role is still insufficiently defined. Quantitative real-time PCR measured mRNA expression and western blotting quantified protein levels. Cell counting kit-8, Transwell, and wound-healing assays assessed proliferation, invasion, and migration, and a xenograft model evaluated tumor formation. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using DESeq2, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment to map functional pathways.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

ABSTRACT

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Synopsis

Conflict of Interest

Author Contributions

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer background and recurrence

EMT and metastasis

RNA binding proteins and NMD

J Gynecol Oncol. 2025 Nov;36(6):e127 [https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e127](https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e127)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2025.36.e127)pISSN 2005-0380·eISSN 2005-0399 Original Article Received: Mar 6, 2024 Revised: Mar 10, 2025 Accepted: May 13, 2025 Published online: Jun 23, 2025 Correspondence to GuzhanuerAbuduxikuer 5th Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No. 789 Suzhou East Street, Xinshi District, Urumqi 830011, China. [Email: guzalnur1112@163.com](Email: guzalnur1112@163.com) © 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 Guligeina Abudourexiti [https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5151-8844](https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5151-8844)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5151-8844)Jingjing Zhang [https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3118-7017](https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3118-7017)[ ](https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3118-7017)GuzhanuerAbudouxikuer [https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6431-5495](https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6431-5495) Funding This work was supported by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation project (project number: 2022D01C282) . UPF1 inhibits cervical cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating nonsense-mediated decay of BMP6 and lncRNA WAKMAR2 Guligeina Abudourexiti , Jingjing Zhang , Guzhanuer Abuduxikuer 5th Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China ABSTRACT Objective: Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) can contribute to the progression of a variety of cancers. Currently, there is limited research on UPF1 in cervical cancer, and further investigation is necessary to understand its regulatory mechanisms in cervical cancer. Methods: mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while protein expression was quantified by western blotting assay. Cell function was assessed by cell counting kit-8 assay, Transwell assay and wound-healing assay. A xenograft mouse model assay was performed to analyze the effect of UPF1 silencing on tumor formation. Differentially expressed genes in cell samples were screened using the RBioconductor package DESeq2. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis was performed to determine the functional categories of the differentially expressed genes. Results: UPF1 expression was downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cells. Additionally, UPF1 silencing promoted invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells and tumor formation. There were a total of 188 upregulated genes in the SiHa cells after UPF1 silencing. Biological analysis showed that these upregulated genes were enriched in pathways related to regulation of cell proliferation, positive regulation of gene expression, cell adhesion, and Hippo signaling pathway. Additionally, UPF1 depletion promoted SiHa cell proliferation, invasion and migration, whereas the effects were attenuated after silencing of bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) or long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) WAKMAR2. Conclusion: UPF1 inhibited cervical cancer cell migration and invasion through the regulation of nonsense-mediated decay of BMP6 and lncRNA WAKMAR2. Keywords: Cervical Cancer; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; mRNA; lncRNA Synopsis Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) expression was downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cells. Additionally, UPF1 silencing promoted invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells and tumor formation. UP

FAQs

What is the main purpose of this study?

To clarify how UPF1 regulates cervical cancer progression, specifically its effects on cell migration and invasion through nonsense-mediated decay mechanisms.

How were gene and protein expression changes measured?

mRNA levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was quantified by western blotting.

What functional outcomes did UPF1 depletion affect in cervical cancer cells?

UPF1 silencing promoted invasion and migration and enhanced tumor formation in a xenograft mouse model.

Sep 23, 2026

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