Anillin interacts with RhoA to promote tumor progression in anaplastic thyroid cancer by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive thyroid malignancy and has an extremely poor prognosis, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the role of anillin (ANLN) in ATC, focusing on its impact on tumor growth and metastasis through the RhoA/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Methods: TCGA and GEO datasets were analyzed to identify key molecular alterations in thyroid cancer. ANLN expression was assessed in clinical samples. Functional assays, including CCK-8, colony formation, scratch, and Transwell invasion assays, and mouse xenograft models, were conducted to evaluate the biological role of ANLN. Coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and active Rho GTPase pull-down assays, as well as phosphorylation antibody arrays, were used to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results: Analysis of TCGA and GEO datasets revealed that ANLN is upregulated in thyroid cancers, including ATC and PTC, with higher ANLN expression correlating with worse survival outcomes. Functional studies demonstrated that ANLN promoted ATC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In vivo, ANLN knockdown inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models. Mechanistically, ANLN directly interacted with RhoA, facilitating its activation and subsequent stimulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The tumorigenic effects of ANLN were suppressed by AKT inhibition with afuresertib or RhoA silencing.

Conclusion: ANLN plays a crucial role in ATC progression by activating the RhoA/PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in ATC.