PEG10/TRIB3 axis is associated with malignant behavior and Notch‑related signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive oral epithelial neoplasm for which the expression of paternally expressed gene 10 (PEG10) has notable prognostic implications. However, the functional role of this protein in OSCC remains to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the function of PEG10 in regulating OSCC cell behavior and the potential mechanisms of this regulation. Cell Counting Kit‑8, 5‑ethynyl‑2'‑deoxyuridine, wound healing and Transwell assays were employed to estimate cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, flow cytometry assays were used to detect the cell cycle status and apoptosis of OSCC cells. Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of PEG10 and Tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3), as well as cell cycle‑, apoptosis‑ and Notch signaling‑associated proteins. The HDOCK server (a hybrid docking server for protein and nucleic acid complex prediction) and co‑immunoprecipitation assays were employed to investigate the relationship between PEG10 and TRIB3. The present study found PEG10 to be highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. PEG10 knockdown reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and stimulated apoptosis. TRIB3 expression was also shown to be elevated in OSCC cells and was decreased following PEG10 knockdown. Concurrent TRIB3 overexpression partially reversed the effects of PEG10 knockdown on malignant phenotypes and Notch‑related protein expression. These findings suggested that the PEG10/TRIB3 axis may be associated with malignant behavior and Notch‑related signaling in OSCC.