Knockdown of RAB25 promotes autophagy and inhibits cell growth in ovarian cancer cells.

RAB25 belongs to the Rab family of small GTPases and is implicated in the development of various types of human cancer. To evaluate the role of RAB25 in ovarian cancer, RAB25 was knocked down by siRNA in HEY and ES‑2 human ovarian cancer cells. Autophagy, cell growth and cell apoptosis were evaluated. The results showed that knockdown of RAB25 increased acidic vesicle organelles and GFP-microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 punctate fluorescence in ovarian cancer cells. Autophagy that promoted by knockdown of RAB25 was not observed in cells where the ERK1/2 signaling pathway had been inhibited by U0126. Knockdown of RAB25 reduced cell cycle progression and cell growth. Apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells could be induced by knockdown of RAB25. These results support the tumorigenic role of RAB25 in ovarian cancer cells.