<p class="first" id="d3035775e75">This study explores the effect of COL1A2, COL6A3,
and THBS2 gene silencing on proliferation,
migration, invasion, and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through the PI3K-Akt signaling
pathway. The gastric cancer microarray expression data (GSE19826, GSE79973, and GSE65801)
was analyzed. Gastric cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were
extracted from patients. Positive expression rate of PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt was measured
with immunohistochemistry. Two cell lines, BGC-823 and SGC-7901, were transfected
and cells were grouped into blank, negative control, COL1A2-shRNA, COL6A3-shRNA, and
THBS2-shRNA groups. Expressions of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 in gastric cancer cells
transfected with corresponding silencing sequences were evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western
blot. MTT assay, Transwell, and cell scratch tests were conducted to evaluate cell
proliferation, invasion, and migration capacity, respectively. Flow cytometry was
used to evaluate cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The positive expression of
PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt was higher in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal
tissues, and the mRNA expression of COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 was increased in gastric
cancer tissues. Akt, p-Akt, and PI3K expression drastically decreased in cells transfected
with COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 silencing sequences. Cells transfected with COL1A2,
COL6A3, and THBS2 silencing sequences exhibited promoted apoptosis but inhibited proliferation,
migration, and invasion. This study demonstrates that COL1A2, COL6A3, and THBS2 gene
silencing inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while
promoting apoptosis through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
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