Abstract:
Objective This study aimed to investigate the expression of Fbxw7 in gastric cancer tissues, and identify its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.
Methods Fbxw7 expression was detected in 20 samples of surgically resected paired gastric cancer and normal para-neoplastic tissues using immunohistochemistry.Fbxw7 and Fbxw7 shRNA plasmids were transfected into MGC-803 and AZ521 cells, respectively.The expression of c-Myc and Cyclin E, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were analyzed using western blot assay, MTT assay, and flow cytometry, respectively.
Results Fbxw7 expression was significantly lower in the gastric cancer tissues than that in the normal para-neoplastic tissues (P < 0.05).The ectopic expression of Fbxw7 downregulated the expression of c-Myc and Cyclin E, which resulted in the apoptosis and growth retardation of MGC-803 cells, respectively (P < 0.05). Fbxw7 knockdown led to c-Myc and Cyclin E protein accumulation, enhanced cell proliferation, and decreased apoptosis in AZ521 cells (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Fbxw7 expression was downregulated in gastric cancer, which possibly induced apoptosis and growth arrest through degradation of c-Myc and Cyclin E in gastric cancer cells.Thus, the loss of Fbxw7 may have an important function in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer.