End Processing Factor APLF Promotes NHEJ Efficiency and Contributes to TMZ- and Ionizing Radiation-Resistance in Glioblastoma Cells

Purpose Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly diagnosed primary brain tumor in adults. Despite a variety of advances in the understanding of GBM cancer biology during recent decades, very few of them were applied into treatment, and the survival rate of GBM patients has not been improved majorly due to the low chemosensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) or low radiosensitivity. Therefore, it is urgent to elucidate mechanisms of TMZ- and IR-resistance and develop novel therapeutic strategies to improve GBM treatment. Methods TMZ- and IR-resistant cell lines were acquired by continuous exposing parental GBM cells to TMZ or IR for 3 months. Cell viability was determined by using Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Protein and mRNA expression were examined by Western blotting assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay, respectively. Homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) efficiency were measured by HR and NHEJ reporter assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by Caspase3/7 activity. Autophagy was analyzed using CYTO-ID® Autophagy detection kit. Tumor growth was examined by U87 xenograft mice model. Results DNA repair efficiency of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway is significantly increased in TMZ- and IR-resistant GBM cells. Importantly, APLF, which is one of the DNA end processing factors in NHEJ, is upregulated in TMZ- and IR-resistant GBM cells and patients. APLF deficiency significantly decreases NHEJ efficiency and improves cell sensitivity to TMZ and IR both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Our study provides evidence for APLF serving as a promising, novel target in GBM chemo- and radio-therapy.