Anti-apoptotic role of peroxiredoxin III in cervical cancer cells

As a member of peroxiredoxin (Prx) family, PrxIII is predominantly located in mitochondria and plays an important role as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since previous reports demonstrated over-expression of PrxIII in cervical cancer, we conducted the present study to investigate the significance of PrxIII in cervical cancer development and/or progression.Cervical cancer cells were cultured from tissues derived from cervical cancer patients. After successful knockdown of PrxIII expression by small interfering RNA, we evaluated ROS level, viable cell number, and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells along with the culture time.The production of ROS was increased in cervical cancer cells as compared with normal cervical epithelia. Knockdown of PrxIII expression induced up-regulation of other Prx members including PrxI, PrxII, and PrxV. ROS level was higher in down-regulated cervical cancer cells than in controls and the difference was increasing with culture time. We also observed increased apoptosis and decreased viable cell number in down-regulated cervical cancer cells.Our results suggest that PrxIII is an indispensable ROS scavenger, which protects tumor cells against oxidative damage and subsequent apoptosis.

▸ ROS production was increased in cervical cancer cells as compared with normal cervical epithelia. ▸ Knockdown of peroxiredoxin III (PrxIII) expression induced up-regulation of other Prx members. ▸ Down-regulation of PrxIII further increased ROS and subsequent apoptosis in cancer cells. ▸ PrxIII is an indispensable ROS scavenger and plays an important role in apoptotic inhibition.