YY1 transcription factor induces proliferation and aerobic glycolysis of neuroblastoma cells via LDHA regulation

The present study investigated the effect of transcription factor yin yang 1 (YY1) on aerobic glycolysis and cell proliferation in neuroblastoma and its mechanism. Neuroblastoma cell lines were used to investigate the association between YY1 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression. Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 and clone formation experiments were used to detect the cell viability. The interaction of YY1 and LDHA was detected using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Glucose uptake, intra/extracellular lactate and pyruvate and LDHA expression were evaluated using standard methods. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR, western blotting and gene overexpression or silencing were undertaken to explore the biological effects and underlying mechanisms of transcriptional regulators in NB cells. The results demonstrated that YY1 was significantly upregulated in neuroblastoma cell lines. The results of aerobic glycolysis and CCK-8 indicated that YY1 significantly promoted the proliferation and aerobic glycolysis of neuroblastoma cells. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR results demonstrated that YY1 was directly bound to the promoter LDHA. Overexpression of LDHA could reverse the inhibitory effect of sh-YY1 on aerobic glycolysis and proliferation of neuroblastoma cells. In conclusion, YY1 could induce aerobic glycolysis and proliferation of neuroblastoma cell lines, and may directly mediate the regulation of LDHA. These findings may provide novel insight for the treatment of neuroblastoma.