Mitochondrial creatine kinase 1 in non-small cell lung cancer progression and hypoxia adaptation

Background Hypoxia is a prominent feature of solid cancer. This research aims to expose the role of mitochondrial creatine kinase 1 (CKMT1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression and hypoxia adaptation. Methods The mRNA and protein expression of CKMT1 in NSCLC tissues were detected by using GEPIA web, immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. For hypoxia, cells were exposed to the 1% O2 atmosphere. The protein levels of HIF-1α and CKMT1 in H1650 and H1299 cells exposed to hypoxia were determined by western blot. The roles of CKMT1 on the proliferation, invasion and hypoxia adaptation of NSCLC cells were measured by CCK8, colony formation and transwell assays. Luciferase activity assay and HIF1 specific inhibitor (LW6) assay indicated the related function of hypoxia and CKMT1. Results CKMT1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues, and the high level of CKMT1 was significantly correlated with the high pathological grade of NSCLC. Knockdown of CKMT1 inhibited the cell proliferation and invasion of H1650 and H1299 cells, which could be rescued by hypoxia. Hypoxia induced the accumulation of HIF-1α and the expression of CKMT1 in H1650 and H1299 cells. Furthermore, HIF-1 as a transcription factor of CKMT1, could up-regulated the expression of CKMT1 under hypoxia. Conclusions In summary, CKMT1 has the potential as a target for NSCLC hypoxic targeted therapy.