Annexin A1 can inhibit the in vitro invasive ability of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells possibly through Annexin Al/S100A9/Vimentin interaction

Annexin A1 is a member of a large superfamily of glucocorticoid-regulated, calcium- and phospholipid-binding proteins. Our previous studies have shown that the abnormal expression of Annexin Al is related to the occurrence and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To understand the roles of Annexin Al in the tumorigenesis of NPC, targeted proteomic analysis was performed on Annexin Al-associated proteins from NPC cells. We identified 436 proteins associated with Annexin Al, as well as two Annexin Al-interacted key proteins, S100A9 and Vimentin, which were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Gene function classification revealed that the Annexin Al-associated proteins can be grouped into 21 clusters based on their molecular functions. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that Annexin Al /S100A9/Vimentin interactions may be involved in the invasion and metastasis of NPC because they can form complexes in NPC cells. The down regulation of Annexin Al in NPC may lead to the overexpression of S100A9/Vimentin, which may increase the possibility of the invasion ability of NPC cells by adjusting the function of cytoskeleton proteins. Results suggested that the biological functions of Annexin Al in NPC were diverse, and that Annexin Al can inhibit the in vitro invasive ability of NPC cells through Annexin Al /S100A9/Vimentin interaction.