Knockdown of SIX4 inhibits pancreatic cancer cells via apoptosis induction

AbstractSine oculis homeobox 4 (SIX4), a critical transcription factor modulating organ development, potentially participates in tumorigenesis through numerous pathways. Here, we investigated siRNA-mediated knockdown effects ofSIX4 on pancreatic cancer cells and underlying molecular mechanisms. The expression ofSIX4 in pancreatic cancer and adjacent tissues were investigated in clinical tissue samples and bioinformatically approved by gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Appropriate siRNA transfected into PANC1 pancreatic cancer cells in order toSIX4 knockdown. The survival, migration, invasion, colony formation, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle in the cancer cells were investigated after knockdown ofSIX4. In addition, expression of genes involved in apoptosis and metastasis were assessed in the transfected cancer cells in mRNA and protein levels. High-throughput analysis using GEO database confirmed the overexpression ofSIX4 in pancreatic cancer tissues by six independent pancreatic cancer microarrays. Knockdown ofSIX4 by specific siRNA significantly decreased survival, colony formation, and mitochondrial membrane potential of the cancer cells. Further assessments demonstrated that knockdown ofSIX4 increases the apoptosis and autophagy rates in the cancer cells through modifying the expression of related genes. Moreover, a significant decrease in migration and invasion rates were observed inSIX4 suppressed group. Furthermore, frequenc...
Source: Medical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research