TGFA promotes the development of cervical cancer via interacting with DSG2

validation. RNA pull-down assay was performed to explore the interaction between TGFA and desmoglein 2 (DSG2). These results indicated that TGFA expression was elevated in both cervical cancer tissues and cells. TGFA overexpression promoted cell proliferation, metastasis, and autophagy, whereas TGFA knockdown exerted the opposite effects and inhibited tumor growth. Mechanistically, TGFA bound to DSG2 and affected the downstream MYC oncogene (c-MYC)/ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) pathway. In conclusion, TGFA serves as an upstream regulator of the DSG2/c-MYC/ADAM17 axis, which is correlated with autophagy and malignant progression of cervical cancer.