PIK3C2Bpromotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition and EGFR inhibitors insensitivity in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma

While the class I of PI3Ks has been deeply studied due to its clear implication in cancer development, little is known about the class II of PI3Ks. However, recent accumulation of data is now revealing that PI3KC2β, one isoform of this class of PI3Ks, may also play a role in cancer. Specifically, recent studies have suggested an implication of PI3KC2β in metastasis formation through the promotion of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we report that the overexpression of PI3KC2β in the epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells A431 promotes apparent EMT transformation. We further confirm this EMT by showing modification in several biochemical markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin, Snail, Twist1 and Vimentin). Furthermore, an intracellular co-localization of E-cadherin, β-catenin and EGFR was observed. This transformation decreased EGFR signaling and the sensitivity to inhibitors targeting this receptor. To confirm our results, we have used the colon adenocarcinoma cells HT29 and induced overexpression of PI3KC2β in these cells. We could recapitulate in this model some of our major findings regarding EMT in the PI3KC2β overexpressing A431 cells. Taken together, these data support a role of PI3KC2β in promoting EMT.