MARCH5 Promotes the Progression of Thyroid cancer by Regulating Mitochondrial Autophagy Protein FUNDC1-mediated Pyroptosis.

MARCH5 is a key regulatory factor in mitochondria. However, the expression and function of MARCH5 in thyroid cancer (TC) are not yet clear. The research explores the role and the potential mechanism of MARCH5 in the tumorigenesis of TC. MARCH5 expression were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. CCK-8 kits were used to measure the cell viability. Cell scratch assay and Tanswell assay were used to measure cell migration and invasion, respectively. The pyroptosis related proteins (NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD) and mitochondrial autophagy related proteins (LC3-II, p62, parkin, pink1) were detected. The mitochondrial ROS GSH, MDA, and SOD were detected using commercial kits. Finally, a TC mouse model was constructed to detect the role of MARCH5 in tumor growth in vivo. The results displayed that the expression of MARCH5 was increased in TC patients and cells, and was significantly correlated with prognosis. Functional studies have found that MARCH5 inhibits oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial autophagy in TPC-1 cells. Further research has found that MARCH5 promotes the progression of thyroid cancer by degrading FUNDC1 and inhibiting the mitochondrial autophagy mediated pyroptosis pathway, regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in TPC-1 cells. More importantly, interference with MARCH5 inhibits tumor growth and further development of TC in vivo. In conclusion, MARCH5 promotes the progression of thyroid cancer by degrading FUNDC1 and inhibiting the mitochondrial autophagy mediated pyroptosis, regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This study provides new theoretical basis for the treatment and prevention of TC in clinical practice.