Silencing CDCA8 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells and induces apoptosis by blocking the Akt pathway

Abstract


 
 
 
 Purpose: To investigate the effect of cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) on malignant progression of gastric cancer (GC) cells.
 Methods: Short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) were transfected into two gastric cell lines to knock down expression of CDCA8. Transfection efficiency was analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Then, Cell Counting Kit 8 and colony formation and Transwell assays were utilized to explore the effect of CDCA8 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells. Flow cytometry was conducted to analyze the effect of CDCA8 knockdown on cell cycle progression and apoptosis. The relationship between CDCA8, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and Akt pathway activity was determined by western blot analysis.
 Results: Proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells were significantly inhibited by CDCA8 knockdown. Knockdown of CDCA8 induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and apoptosis, and inhibited EMT and Akt pathway activity.
 Conclusion: Knockdown of CDCA8 inhibits GC growth and metastasis in vitro by reducing Akt pathway activity. Thus, this molecule presents a potential strategy for the management of GC.