Bioinformatic and Experimental Analysis Reveals Knockdown of KIF15 Promotes Cell Apoptosis via Activating Crosstalk of Multi-Pathways in Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal malignancy of females worldwide. Unlimited proliferation is a fundamental feature of OC cells. The genes associated with cell proliferation are potential histopathological biomarkers and targets of anti-tumor therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we aimed to identify proliferation-associated biomarkers with potential prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic value and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism of the candidate gene involved in OC by a combination of bioinformatic and experimental methods.Results: KIF15 was upregulated in early-stage OC tissues and could predict poor prognosis of patients of Stage I and II. The knockdown of KIF15 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, tumor formation, and growth as well as promoted apoptosis of OC cells. A combination of experimental and bioinformatic analyses revealed KIF15 knockdown promoted cell apoptosis via activating crosstalk of multi-pathways in OC.Conclusion: In this study, KIF15, an early-stage prognostic gene, was identified as a potential histopathological biomarker and therapeutic target of OC.