E3 ubiquitin ligase promotes metastasis of gastric cancer cells by mediating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is considered a major global health problem. The role of TRIM55, a member of the three-domain protein family, in GC is unknown.

AIM

To determine the expression of in GC tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics, and to investigate the effects of on the malignant biological behavior of GC cells.

METHODS

Differential expression of in GC and para-cancer tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between level and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was analyzed. Gain-of-function, loss-of-function, cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation, transwell assay, wound healing assay, and western blot analysis were used to assess the potential role of in the development of GC.

RESULTS

expression was significantly increased in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. High expression of was associated with advanced pathological stage and poor prognosis. Overexpression of promoted invasion and metastasis of GC cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas knockdown of had the opposite effect. Our data showed that is highly expressed in GC tissues, and is associated with poor prognosis. plays the role of an oncogene in GC, and it promotes metastasis of GC through the regulation of EMT.

CONCLUSION

may be a possible target for the diagnosis and prognosis of GC patients.