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Rap2B knockdown suppresses malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by inactivating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways

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Abstract

Rap2B, belonging to the Ras superfamily of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins, is upregulated and contributes to the progression of several tumors by acting as an oncogene, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism underlying the functional roles of Rap2B in HCC remains unclear. In this study, the evaluation of Rap2B expression in HCC cells and tissues was achieved by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. The effects of Rap2B on the malignant biological behaviors in HCC were explored by means of MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Protein levels of Ki67, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and cleaved caspase-3, together with the alternations of the ERK1/2 and PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathways were qualified by western blot assay. Further verification of the Rap2B function on HCC tumorigenesis was attained by performing in vivo assays. We found that Rap2B levels were upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Rap2B silencing led to a reduction of cell-proliferative and invasive abilities, and an increase of apoptosis in HCC cells. In addition, xenograft tumor assay demonstrated that Rap2B silencing repressed HCC xenograft tumor growth in vivo. In addition, we found that Rap2B knockdown significantly inhibited the ERK1/2 and PTEN/PI3K/Akt cascades in HCC cells and xenograft tumor tissues. Together, Rap2B knockdown inhibited HCC-malignant progression, which was involved in inhibiting the ERK1/2 and PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathways. Our findings contribute to understanding of the molecular mechanism of Rap2B in HCC progression.

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Abbreviations

GTP:

Guanosine triphosphate

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

MMP:

Matrix metalloproteinase

shRNA:

Short hairpin RNA

PVDF:

Polyvinylidene difluoride

Akt:

Anti-protein kinase B

PI3K:

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase

PTEN:

Anti-phosphatase and tensin homolog

MTT:

3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, No.7, Wei Wu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, People’s Republic of China

    Linchao Zhu, Shufeng Zhang & Lin Wang

  2. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Third People’s Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China

    Ying Sun

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  1. Linchao Zhu
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Correspondence to Linchao Zhu.

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Zhu, L., Sun, Y., Zhang, S. et al. Rap2B knockdown suppresses malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by inactivating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. Mol Cell Biochem 466, 55–63 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-020-03687-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-020-03687-w

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