HnRNP L is important for the expression of oncogene SRSF3 and oncogenic potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the leading cause of death related to oral diseases. The mechanisms of OSCC development remain largely unknown. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (HnRNP L) is a multi-functional splicing factor. It has been reported to be an important regulator of apoptosis. However, the functions of hnRNP L in cancer need to be further explored. In the present study, we found that OSCC tissues expressed significantly higher levels of hnRNP L than normal tissues. Depletion of hnRNP L retarded cell growth, cell migration, and tumorigenesis of OSCC cells. HnRNP L regulates both the expression of oncogenic splicing factor SRSF3 and the alternative splicing of SRSF3 exon 4. Expression of hnRNP L is correlated with SRSF3 expression in OSCC tissues. These findings suggest that hnRNP L is important for the pathogenesis of OSCC and may be a novel potential therapeutic target of OSCC.