NK6 Homeobox 2 Regulated Gastrokin-2 Suppresses Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion via Akt Signaling Pathway.

This study aims to explore the role of Gastrokin-2 (GKN2) in gastric cancer and its function in the progression and metastasis of gastric cancer. The expression of GKN2 in the patient samples was examined by qRT-PCR and western blot. The transcription factor NK6 Homeobox 2 (NKX6-2), which binds to the GKN2 promoter, was predicted by cBioportal and JSPAR. Binding between NKX6-2 and the GKN2 promoter was analyzed by dual-luciferase assay. MTT assay and transwell assay were used to detect changes in gastric cancer cell viability and migration after GKN2 overexpression, which was achieved by transfection of GKN2 overexpression vector. Akt signaling pathway markers were assessed by western blot. GKN2 is downregulated in gastric cancer and low GKN2 expression is correlated to poor survival, metastasis, and higher clinical stages. NKX6-2 binds the promoter region of GKN2 and regulate its expression. GKN2 overexpression inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, which was mediated by Akt signaling pathway. NKX6-2 regulated GKN2 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting Akt signaling pathway. GKN2 can be used as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for patients with clinical gastric cancer.