The effect of PDLIM7 on cell proliferation, migration, and drug sensitivity in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a subtype of renal cancer primarily originating from renal tubular epithelial cells. The absence of effective treatments has contributed to its poor prognosis. PDLIM7 is a protein containing PDZ and LIM structural domains, which performs varied functions through interactions with different proteins. To elucidate the role of PDLIM7 in ccRCC, we aimed to investigate its potential functions in relation to drug sensitivity. We analyzed multiple databases to assess the relationship between PDLIM7 expression and clinicopathological features, and conducted survival prognosis analysis. The expression level of PDLIM7 was validated through Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). We determined the effects and mechanisms of PDLIM7 on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through cloning assays, scratch assays, and Transwell assays. The functions and potential mechanisms of action of PDLIM7 were analyzed using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Its relationship with drug sensitivity was predicted utilizing the CellMiner database. Our study demonstrated that elevated PDLIM7 expression in ccRCC tissues and cell lines is significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. The knockdown of PDLIM7 markedly reduced the activity of ccRCC cells. KEGG and GO functional enrichment analyses indicated that PDLIM7 is implicated in various biological functions and signaling pathways. Higher levels of PDLIM7 are associated with increased sensitivity to a range of therapeutic agents. In conclusion, PDLIM7 is highly expressed in ccRCC and functions as an oncogene; its knockdown significantly inhibits the activity of ccRCC cells. PDLIM7 may serve as a prognostic marker for ccRCC and represents a potential therapeutic target.