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

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 Celigobased 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.