Aim: Ran binding protein M (RanBPM) is a ubiquitous, nucleocytoplasmic protein that serves as a scaffolding molecule. This study aimed to investigate the role of RanBPM in gastric cancer.
Materials and methods: RanBPM expression in human gastric cancer tissue samples was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of RanBPM on cellular functions was examined in RanBPM-knockdown gastric cells and with in vitro cell functional assays.
Results: Gastric tumors with distant metastases expressed lower levels of RanBPM transcripts compared to tumours without detectable metastases (p=0.036). RanBPM knockdown in gastric cancer cells reduced adhesion and promoted survival of gastric cancer cells after exposure to methotrexate and fluorouracil.
Conclusion: RanBPM levels were reduced in gastric tumors with distant metastases. This suggests that loss of RanBPM expression may play an important role in gastric cancer tumor development and metastasis. Reduced RanBPM expression is also associated with chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells.
Keywords: RanBPM; gastric cancer; growth; invasion; matrix metalloproteinase; migration.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.