Abstract
BackgroundKinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) serve as microtubule-dependent molecular motors, and are involved in the progression of many malignant tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern and precise role of kinesin family member 21B (KIF21B) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsKIF21B expression in 72 cases of NSCLC tissues was measured by immunohistochemical staining (IHC). We used shRNA-KIF21B interference to silence KIF21B in NSCLC H1299 and A549 cells and normal lung epithelial bronchus BEAS-2B cells. The biological roles of KIF21B in the growth and metastasis abilities of NSCLC cells were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), colony formation and Hoechst 33342/PI, wound-healing, and Transwell assays, respectively. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined using western blot. The effect of KIF21B on tumor growth in vivo was examined using nude mice model.ResultsKIF21B was up-regulated in NSCLC tissues, and correlated with pathological lymph node and pTNM stage, its high expression was predicted a poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Silencing of KIF21B mediated by lentivirus-delivered shRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation ability of H1299 and A549 cells. KIF21B knockdown increased apoptosis in H1299 and A549 cells, down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and up-regulated the expression of Bax and active Caspase 3. Moreover, KIF21B knockdown decreased the level of phosphorylated form of Akt (p-Akt) and Cyclin D1 expression in H1299 and A549 cells. In addition, silencing of KIF21B impeded the migration and invasion of H1299 and A549 cells. Further, silencing of KIF 21B dramatically inhibited xenograft growth in BALB/c nude mice. However, silencing of KIF21B did not affect the proliferation, migration and invasion of BEAS-2B cells.ConclusionsThese results reveal that KIF21B is up-regulated in NSCLC and acts as an oncogene in the growth and metastasis of NSCLC, which may function as a potential therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.
Highlights
Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) serve as microtubule-dependent molecular motors, and are involved in the progression of many malignant tumors
These results reveal that kinesin family member 21B (KIF21B) is up-regulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and acts as an oncogene in the growth and metastasis of NSCLC, which may function as a potential therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker for NSCLC
KIF21B is up‐regulated in NSCLC tissues As indicated by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) assay (Fig. 1), we found that the positive KIF21B signal was mainly located in cytoplasm
Summary
Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) serve as microtubule-dependent molecular motors, and are involved in the progression of many malignant tumors. We aimed to investigate the expression pattern and precise role of kinesin family member 21B (KIF21B) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) serve as microtubule-dependent molecular motors, play a fundamental role in cellular functions though transport certain cellular proteins, macro-molecules, and organelles [3, 4]. It has been confirmed that KIF21B, a classic kinesin protein, could function as a regulator of microtubule dynamics [8] It could inhibit the growth of microtubules through its tail domain, acting as a potential microtubule-pausing factor [9, 10]. The precise role of KIF21B in carcinogenesis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear
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