MBD2 Correlates with a Poor Prognosis and Tumor Progression in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE

DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating gene expression. Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins recognize and bind to methylated DNA, which mediate gene silencing by the interaction with deacetylases and histone methyltransferases. MBD2 has been reported in various human cancers; however, its clinical implication and potential regulatory role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have not been elaborated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the study, we estimated the expression and prognostic value of in RCC cell lines and tissues by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The associations of expression and pathological characters and survival in RCC patients were performed using χ2 and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, respectively. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses suggested the independent predictors in RCC prognosis. The functional role of in RCC progression was assessed by in vitro cell experiments. In addition, we identified the -mediated alterations of protein-related proliferation and EMT markers in RCC cells after overexpression and knockdown.

RESULTS

We found that the protein levels of were upregulated in RCC cells and tissues. High expression was related to TNM stage and predicted poorer survival in RCC. Enforced expression of significantly promoted the proliferation, cycle progress, invasion and migration of RCC cells in vitro. However, downregulating remarkably weakened the above cell functions. Mechanistically, the promotive effect of overexpression may be regulated by its effects on and expression and EMT process.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that confers an oncogenic function in the malignant progression of RCC. could be served as a meaningful prognostic biomarker and a latent therapeutic target in RCC patients.