Anti-proliferation effects of Twist gene silencing in gastric cancer SGC7901 cells

AIM:To study the role of Twist gene in gastric cancer by gene silencing,including the potential of induction of apoptosis,cell cycle arrest,and proliferation inhibition in human malignant gastric SGC7901 cells.METHODS:The expression level of Twist in gastric cancer samples was measured by immunohistochemistry.The effects of Twist gene silencing were detected at both m RNA and protein levels by RT-PCR and Western blot.We also evaluated the cell proliferation and apoptosis by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.We determined the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 with a caspase activity assay kit.Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry.Cell migration and invasion ability was evaluated by wound scratch assay and Boyden chamber assay.RESULTS:Twist protein was highly expressed in gastric cancer samples.Twist gene silencing significantly induced apoptosis,cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase,proliferation inhibition,and reduced the ability of migration and invasion in human gastric cancer SGC7901 cells.Meanwhile,both caspase-3 and caspase-9 were activated.CONCLUSION:The Twist gene could serve as a potential molecular target for gene therapy of gastric cancer with targeted small interfering RNA.