TRIM29 functions as an oncogene in gastric cancer and is regulated by miR-185

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29) is a member of the TRIM family, with roles varying between oncogene and tumor suppressor depending on cancer type.
• TRIM29 overexpression is common in gastric cancer, but the mechanisms driving this are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function of TRIM29 in gastric cancer.
• To elucidate the regulatory relationship between TRIM29 and miR-185 in gastric cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• RNA interference (RNAi) was used to silence TRIM29 in MGC803 gastric cancer cells.
• Cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway components (β-catenin, cyclin D1, c-Myc) were analyzed.
• Target prediction and luciferase assays were performed to confirm the interaction between TRIM29 and miR-185.

Main Results:

• TRIM29 knockdown significantly reduced MGC803 cell proliferation, colony formation, and induced G1-S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
• Silencing TRIM29 led to downregulation of β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-Myc, implicating TRIM29 in Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulation.
• TRIM29 was identified as a target of miR-185, and miR-185 overexpression inhibited TRIM29 expression and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Conclusions:

• TRIM29 functions as an oncogene in gastric cancer by promoting cell proliferation and survival.
• TRIM29's oncogenic activity in gastric cancer is mediated through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
• TRIM29 expression is negatively regulated by miR-185, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.