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

Anticancer Res. 2019 Sep;39(9):4637-4642. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.13644.

Abstract

Aim: 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.

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: AMMMECR1; Lung cancer cell; apoptosis; cell cycle; cell proliferation.

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • AMMECR1 protein, human
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger