Spindle and kinetochore-associated complex 3 promotes cell growth via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 pathways and is a potential prognostic biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: This study elucidated the clinical significance, functions, and mechanism of action of spindle and kinetochore-associated complex 3 (SKA3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Study Design: The SKA3 levels within the patients with OSCC were determined using the The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database and clinical samples. The functions of SKA3 in OSCC cells were evaluated by cell counting Kit-8 (Beyotime Biotechnology, Haimen, China), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, wound healing, transwell invasion, flow cytometry, and xenograft nude mice model assays. A quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to assess mRNA and protein expression levels in specimens and cells, respectively.

Results: The SKA3 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues, and its knockdown suppressed OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted their apoptosis. Mechanistically, SKA3 was shown to modulate OSCC cell proliferation and apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 pathways.

Conclusions: Biologically, SKA3 has a potential carcinogenic role in OSCC progression and is a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.