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The expression of BTG1 is downregulated in NSCLC and possibly associated with tumor metastasis

G G Sun1, Y F Lu, Y J Cheng

  • 1Department of Chemoradiotherapy, Tangshan People's Hospital, NO.65, Shengli Road, Lunan District, Tangshan, 063000, Hebei Province, China.

Tumour Biology : the Journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine
|November 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

B cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) is downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), correlating with poor prognosis and suppressed tumor growth. Overexpressing BTG1 inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
  • The role of B cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) in NSCLC pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.
  • Identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for NSCLC is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression levels and clinical significance of BTG1 in NSCLC.
  • To elucidate the biological functions of BTG1 in NSCLC cell lines through overexpression studies.
  • To explore the potential of BTG1 as a therapeutic target or prognostic marker in NSCLC.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to assess BTG1 protein expression in NSCLC tissues and normal controls.
  • Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were employed to confirm BTG1 mRNA and protein levels after lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression in H1299 cells.
  • Cell proliferation (MTT assay), apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, migration, and invasion assays were performed to evaluate the functional impact of BTG1.
  • Expression levels of CyclinD1, Bcl-2, and MMP-9 were analyzed post-BTG1 overexpression.

Main Results:

  • BTG1 protein expression was significantly lower in NSCLC tissues compared to normal tissues (P < 0.05).
  • Reduced BTG1 expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, advanced clinical stage, and higher histological grade (P < 0.05).
  • Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that loss of BTG1 expression was associated with significantly poorer overall survival (P < 0.05).
  • Overexpression of BTG1 in H1299 cells led to decreased cell survival, increased G0/G1 phase arrest, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced migration and invasion (P < 0.05).
  • BTG1 overexpression resulted in decreased expression of CyclinD1, Bcl-2, and MMP-9 proteins (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • BTG1 is downregulated in NSCLC and serves as a potential prognostic biomarker, correlating with adverse clinical features and poor survival.
  • BTG1 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC.
  • BTG1 exerts its effects, at least in part, by regulating the expression of key proteins involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and metastasis, including CyclinD1, Bcl-2, and MMP-9.

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