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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Impedance-based Real-time Measurement of Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion
Published on: April 2, 2020
STRAP Knockdown Inhibits Migration and Growth of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
1Department of Respiratory, the Second People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, China.
Abstract:
Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by binding to many target proteins and plays an important regulatory role in tumor development. We studied the effects of STRAP on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vivo and in vitro in order to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying the regulatory effects of this protein. The levels of STRAP in NSCLC tissues and cells were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting. In in vitro experiments, A549 and HCC827 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown STRAP (si-STRAP) or with negative control sequence; cell migration and invasion were detected by scratch and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), caspase-3, and caspase-9 were determined by Western blotting. In addition, we analyzed changes of tumor volume in a nude mouse NSCLC model. STRAP was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells, but its expression was significantly suppressed in A549 and HCC827 cells transfected with si-STRAP. STRAP knockdown resulted in a significant inhibition of migration and invasion of A549 and HCC827 cells. It also significantly reduced the expression of XIAP and elevated expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. In nude mice with tumor originated from transplanted A549 cells, inhibition of STRAP expression retarded the tumor growth. Overall, these findings indicate that STRAP is overexpressed in NSCLC, while knockdown of STRAP gene inhibits the growth of NSCLC.
Insights
Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Inhibiting STRAP suppresses NSCLC cell migration, invasion, and tumor growth, offering a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is implicated in cell proliferation and apoptosis, suggesting a role in tumor development.
- Understanding STRAP's function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and mechanism of STRAP in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting STRAP in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting were used to assess STRAP expression in NSCLC tissues and cells.
- In vitro studies involved siRNA-mediated knockdown of STRAP in NSCLC cell lines (A549, HCC827) to evaluate effects on cell migration, invasion, and apoptosis-related protein expression (XIAP, caspase-3, caspase-9).
- In vivo experiments utilized a nude mouse model to assess the impact of STRAP inhibition on tumor growth.
Main Results:
- STRAP was found to be significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tissues and cells.
- Knockdown of STRAP expression using siRNA led to a significant inhibition of NSCLC cell migration and invasion.
- STRAP inhibition altered the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, decreasing XIAP and increasing caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels.
- In vivo, suppression of STRAP expression retarded tumor growth in a nude mouse model.
Conclusions:
- STRAP is oncogenic in NSCLC, evidenced by its overexpression and promotion of cell migration and invasion.
- Targeting STRAP, through gene knockdown, effectively inhibits NSCLC progression both in vitro and in vivo.
- STRAP represents a promising therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer treatment.
