BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a challenging malignancy characterized by aggressive progression and limited therapeutic efficacy. Emerging evidence implicates peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), a mitochondrial peroxidase, as a critical regulator of redox homeostasis and mitochondrial integrity. Given its role in modulating cell death through mitochondrial quality control, we investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting PRDX3 in NPC.
METHODS: PRDX3 expression patterns were assessed in clinical NPC specimens using immunohistochemical and immunoblotting. Functional studies employed siRNA-mediated PRDX3 knockdown followed by cellular assays: CCK-8 proliferation, clonogenic survival, and mitochondrial parameter quantification (reactive oxygen species flux using DCFH-DA/C11-BODIPY, ATP biosynthesis, membrane polarization, and mtDNA integrity). Molecular interplay between PRDX3 and PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) was elucidated through co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis. In vivo therapeutic efficacy was validated using a xenograft model to evaluate tumor growth modulation.
RESULTS: Clinical specimens revealed significant PRDX3 overexpression in NPC compared to non-malignant controls. PRDX3 knockdown substantially attenuated malignant behavior and induced mitochondrial dysfunction in NPC cells. Mechanistically, PRDX3 interacted with PINK1 to stabilize Parkin-mediated mitophagic flux. PRDX3 safeguarded against apoptosis by sustaining PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy clearance of damaged mitochondria. In vivo validation confirmed that PRDX3 knockdown suppressed tumor growth.
CONCLUSION: PRDX3 acts as an upstream activator of the PINK1/Parkin signaling cascade, regulating lipid peroxidation-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, mitophagy, survival and apoptosis of NPC cell.
