BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the role of MNX1 in cervical cancer and its underlying mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of motor neuron and pancreas homeobox 1 (MNX1) in immortal epithelial cervical cell line ECT, cervical cancer cell HeLa, and SiHa and cervical cancer, as well as in adjacent noncancer tissues, was detected and analyzed. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the effects of MNX1 overexpression on cervical cancer cell proliferation. Transwell assay was used to detect migration and invasion after MNX1 knockdown or overexpression. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to examine MNX1 and cell cycle regulator expression.

RESULTS: Data from our study indicated that MNX1 was upregulated both in cervical cancer cell lines and cervical cancer tissues. The high levels of MNX1 are related to advanced stages and lymph nodes metastasis. The overexpression of MNX1 promoted cervical cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, MNX1 upregulated 2 critical cell cycle regulators, CCNE1 and CCNE2.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal MNX1 as a novel oncogene of cervical cancer and indicate MNX1 is a promising therapeutic and prognostic biomarker.

Keywords: Cell Cycle, cyclin E, Cyclins, Genes, Homeobox, Hela Cells, Homeodomain Proteins, Neoplasms, Squamous Cell, Oncogene Proteins, RNA, Messenger, Transcription Factors