Background/aim: Ouabain has been shown to induce human cancer cell death via apoptosis. Still, its anti-metastatic effect on cell migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells has not been addressed.
Materials and methods: Cell proliferation and viability were measured by the MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell motitlity was analysed by wound healing assay. Cell migration and invasion were analysed by the transwell system. Protein expression was assayed by western blotting.
Results: Ouabain decreased AGS cell proliferation, cell viability, and motility. In addition, ouabain inhibited AGS cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, ouabain decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity at 48 h. Ouabain reduced the levels of proteins associated with PI3K/AKT and p38/MAPK pathways. In addition, ouabain decreased the expressions of N-cadherin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (c-uPA), and MMP-2 at 48 h.
Conclusion: Ouabain suppresses cell metastasis through multiple signaling pathways in AGS cells.
Keywords: AGS cells; Ouabain; invasion; matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2); migration.
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