Peptidomic Analysis and Potential Bioactive Peptides Identification Targeting Endometrial Cancer.

Existing evidence has explained the critical role of endogenous peptides in cancers, however, the peptidomic profile and function involved in endometrial carcinoma (EC) is still unknown. Here we aim to characterize the differentially expressed peptides with the potential involved in EC tumorigenesis and progression. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS/MS) was employed to compare the differentiated peptides using EC samples, followed with bioinformatics analysis including GO, KEGG enrichment analysis and functional studies, i.e., Cell counting kit 8 assay, transwell and wound healing assay to investigate the biological functions of these peptides. The related mRNA and protein levels of cell migration and invasion were selectively assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. A total of 383 peptides derived from 153 precursor proteins were identified, among which 12 were differentially expressed and corresponded to 8 precursor proteins. Bioinformatics analysis indicated they could play an important role in EC, in particular peptide IQGITKPAIR derived from the precursor protein Histone H4 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells through regulating the markers associated with Wnt/β-catenin/EMT signaling strategy. Our study provided better understanding of EC tumorigenesis and progression from the perspective of peptidomic analysis and may offer potential therapeutic candidates targeting EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]