MASTL Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression and Paclitaxel Resistance Through Mitotic Catastrophe.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like (MASTL), a pivotal regulator of mitosis, remains poorly characterized in HCC. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical significance, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of MASTL in HCC progression. Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and ICGC datasets revealed MASTL overexpression correlated with advanced tumor stage and served as an independent prognostic factor. Functional studies demonstrated that MASTL knockdown significantly disrupts HCC cell proliferation, increases the incidence of abnormal mitotic events, and amplifies DNA damage, collectively driving mitotic catastrophe (MC) and subsequent cell death. Mechanistically, MASTL

SUBMITTER: Wang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12861094 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature