Overexpression of RASAL1 Indicates Poor Prognosis and Promotes Invasion of Ovarian Cancer

RAS protein activator like-1 (RASAL1) exists in numerous human tissues and has been commonly demonstrated to act as a tumor suppressor in several cancers. This study aimed to identify the functional characteristics of RASAL1 in ovarian adenocarcinoma and a potential mechanism of action. We analyzed RASAL1 gene expression in ovarian adenocarcinoma samples and normal samples gained from the GEO and Oncomine databases respectively. Then the relationship between RASAL1 expression and overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, the biological effect of RASAL1 in ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines was assessed by Quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), western blot, wound healing and transwell assay. The statistical analysis showed patients with higher RASAL1 expression correlated with worse OS. The in vitro assays suggested knockdown of RASAL1 could inhibit cell proliferation, cell invasion and migration of ovarian adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the key proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathway were also decreased in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells with RASAL1 silencing. These findings provide promising evidence that RASAL1 may be not only a powerful biomarker but also an effective therapeutic target of ovarian adenocarcinoma.