BMB Reports

Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (생화학분자생물학회)
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MUC1-C influences cell survival in lung adenocarcinoma Calu-3 cells after SARS-CoV-2 infection

  • Kim, Dongbum (Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Maharjan, Sony (Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Kim, Jinsoo (Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Park, Sangkyu (Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Park, Jeong-A (Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Park, Byoung Kwon (Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Lee, Younghee (Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kwon, Hyung-Joo (Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Hallym University)
  • Received : 2021.02.05
  • Accepted : 2021.03.30
  • Published : 2021.08.31
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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may increase the risk of adverse outcomes in lung cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of mucin 1 (MUC1) after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung epithelial cancer cell line Calu-3. MUC1 is a major constituent of the mucus layer in the respiratory tract and contributes to pathogen defense. SARS-CoV-2 infection induced MUC1 C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) expression in a STAT3 activation-dependent manner. Inhibition of MUC1-C signaling increased apoptosis-related protein levels and reduced proliferation-related protein levels; however, SARS-CoV-2 replication was not affected. Together, these results suggest that increased MUC1-C expression in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger the growth of lung cancer cells, and COVID-19 may be a risk factor for lung cancer patients.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by grants from the National Research Foundation (NRF-2016M3A9B6916708, NRF-2020M3A9I2107294) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT in the Republic of Korea.

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