Knockdown Suppresses PI3K/AKT Signaling and Induces Apoptosis in Human Glioma Cells.

PURPOSE

Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly malignant primary brain cancer with a poor prognosis. We recently reported that ARID4B could potentially serve as a biomarker associated with poor survival in glioma patients. However, the function of ARID4B in human gliomas remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular cell biology role of ARID4B in human glioma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) datasets were analyzed for the expression of in WHO pathological grading, overall survival and immunohistochemical staining. Using quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, those findings were confirmed in normal brain tissue and glioma cell lines. knockdown was conducted via lentivirus-based transfection of small hairpin RNA in human glioma cells to investigate cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

In the present study, our analysis of GEO datasets showed that mRNA expression is higher in WHO grade IV tumors (n = 81) than in non-tumor control tissue (n = 23, P <0.0001). knockdown suppressed glioma cell proliferation and induced G1 phase arrest via the PI3K/AKT pathway. It also increased expression of , leading to higher acetyl-p53 and acetyl-H3 levels and reduced glioma cell migration and invasion. These effects were mediated via downregulation of AKT pathway components, including p-mTOR, p-PI3K and p-AKT. knockdown also led to downregulation of Cyclin D1, which increased apoptosis in human glioma cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings that ARID4B expression correlates positively with WHO pathologic grading in glioma. knockdown suppresses PI3K/AKT signaling and induces apoptosis in human glioma cells. These results suggests that ARID4B acts as an oncogene in human gliomas.