Dehydrogenase/reductase SDR family member 2 silencing sensitizes an oxaliplatin­resistant cell line to oxaliplatin by inhibiting excision repair cross­complementing group 1 protein expression.

Oxaliplatin (Oxa)­based chemotherapy is widely used as the first­line treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, Oxa­resistance is common for many postoperative CRC patients. To explore drug resistance in CRC, an Oxa­resistant cell line, HCT116/Oxa, was established from parental HCT116 cells. These Oxa­resistant cells exhibited characteristics of epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a higher migratory capacity than parental cells. Protein profiles of HCT116/Oxa and HCT116 cells were compared using a tandem mass tag­based quantitative proteomics technique. The protein dehydrogenase/reductase SDR family member 2 (DHRS2) was revealed to be highly expressed in HCT116/Oxa cells. Silencing of DHRS2 in HCT116/Oxa cells effectively restored Oxa­sensitivity by suppressing the expression of excision repair cross­complementing group 1 protein via a p53­dependent pathway, and reversed the EMT phenotype. Overall, the suppression of DHRS2 expression may be a promising strategy for the prevention of Oxa­resistance in CRC.