GSPT1 Functions as a Tumor Promoter in Human Liver Cancer

Abstract

Objective: This study analyzed the role of G1 to S phase transition 1 protein (GSPT1) in promoting progression of liver cancer cells.

Methods: A bioinformatics database was used to analyze the expression levels of GSPT1 in liver cancer tissues and the prognosis of patients. Subsequently, Western blotting and quantitative PCR were used to verify the expression levels of GSPT1 between normal hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. We used a CRISPR/Cas9 system to construct knockouts of GSPT1 in HepG2 and HCCLM9 liver cancer cells. The effect of GSPT1 on liver cancer cell migration and invasion was analyzed using flow cytometry, migration, and tumor formation assays.

Results: The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma dataset indicated that GSPT1 expression was upregulated in liver cancer cell lines, and patients with liver cancer had poor prognosis. Knockout of GSPT1 in cells significantly inhibited tumor proliferation, cell migration, and growth in vivo.

Conclusion: In this study, we found that GSPT1 promotes the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells.

Keywords: G1 to S phase transition 1 protein; invasion; liver cancer; migration.