AMMECR1 Inhibits Apoptosis and Promotes Cell-cycle Progression and Proliferation of the A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the role of Alport syndrome, mental retardation, midface hypoplasia, and elliptocytosis chromosomal region gene 1 (AMMECR1) in human lung cancer cell lines. AMMECR1 gene expression was evaluated in four lung cell lines, with A549 then selected for further in-depth examination. To characterize the role of AMMECR1, silencing was achieved utilizing lentivirus-mediated RNA interference, and confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The impact of AMMECR1 silencing on cellular proliferation was assessed using Celigo-based and MTT assays. Apoptosis was determined using the annexin V-allophycocyanin single staining method. Cell-cycle arrest was assessed by flow cytometry. Finally, colony formation was assessed using Giemsa staining. In A549 cells, AMMECR1 silencing was found to significantly suppress cell proliferation, reduce colony formation, promote apoptosis, and arrest cells in the S and G2/M phases. AMMECR1 plays a critical role in cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and apoptosis of human lung cancer cells, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for non-small-cell lung cancer.