PCK2 knockdown suppresses malignant phenotypes and is associated with ferroptosis-related changes in colorectal cancer cells

Abstract Objective: To investigate phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with malignant phenotypes and ferroptosis- related cellular changes.

Methods

PCK2 expression and diagnostic value in CRC were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype Tissue Expression data. PCK2 protein expression was assessed in 184 paired CRC and normal tissues by tissue microarray immunohistochemistry and QuPath based digital pathology. Associations of PCK2 expression with overall survival were evaluated. PCK2 was knocked down in HCT116 cells, and proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, colony formation, glycolytic activity, ferroptosis related indicators, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and tumor related signaling pathways were examined. Immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and co immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) identified proteins associated with PCK2.