CD271 mRNA/hnRNPA2B1 complex promotes proliferation and stemness in oral and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

RNAs, such as noncoding RNA, microRNA, and recently mRNA, have been recognized as signal transduction molecules. CD271, also known as nerve growth factor receptor, has a critical role in cancer, although the precise mechanism is still unclear. Here, we show that CD271 mRNA, but not CD271 protein, facilitates spheroid cell proliferation. We established CD271−/− cells lacking both mRNA and protein of CD271, as well as CD271 protein knockout cells lacking only CD271 protein, from hypopharyngeal and oral squamous cell carcinoma lines. Sphere formation was reduced in CD271−/− cells but not in CD271 protein knockout cells. Mutated CD271 mRNA, which is not translated to a protein, promoted sphere formation. CD271 mRNA bound to hnRNPA2B1 protein at the 3′‐UTR region, and the inhibition of this interaction reduced sphere formation. In surgical specimens, the CD271 mRNA/protein expression ratio was higher in the cancerous area than in the noncancerous area. These data suggest CD271 mRNA has dual functions, encompassing protein‐coding and noncoding roles, with its noncoding RNA function being predominant in oral and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We found that CD271 mRNA, but not CD271 protein, plays a role in the sphere proliferation of cancer cells. The CD271 mRNA bound to the hnRNPA2B1 protein, an RNA‐binding protein that promotes tumor malignancy.