Effects of DEK downregulation on proliferation, cell cycle and invasion ability of gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells

Objective To explore the effects of DEK downregulation on cell proliferation, cell cycle and invasion ability of gastric carcinoma, and to investigate their possible molecular mechanisms. Methods DEK siRNA and control siRNA were used to transfect into gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells, and SGC-7901 cells with different treatments were divided into three groups: untreated group, control siRNA group and DEK siRNA group. DEK protein expression was detected by Western blotting in differently treated SGC-7901 cells. Changes of cell proliferation were examined by CCK-8 kit, cell cycle distribution and cell invasion detected by flow cytometry and Boyden chamber. Expressions of p21, cyclin D1, CDK2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with untreated group (0.671±0.033) and control siRNA group(0.658±0.027), expression of DEK protein was downregulated in DEK siRNA group (0.204±0.027)(P<0.05). DEK downregulation suppressed the proliferation, altered the distribution of cell cycle and reduced cell invasion ability in gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells. DEK downregulation triggered the decreases of cyclin D1, CDK2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins as well as the increase of p21. Conclusions DEK downregulation mediated changes of biological behaviors in gastric carcinoma may be associated with the changes of cell cycle and invasion related proteins. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Cell proliferation; Cell cycle; Neoplasm invasiveness