Inhibition of proliferation, viability, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by Aurora-A deletion.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated Aurora-A to be frequently overexpressed in many cancers, including gastric cancer. In order to study the effects of Aurora-A on gastric cancer cells, we detected the changes of cell phenotype after treatment with Aurora-A specific small interference RNA (siRNA). In addition, VX-680 was used simultaneously. RT-PCR and western-blot were used to determine the level of Aurora-A mRNA and protein in cells, including GES-1, SGC-7901, SGC-7901 lines treated with VX-680, SGC-7901 treated with DMSO, SGC- 7901 interfered using siRNA and SGC-7901 interfered using scrambled RNAi. MTT, PI staining and transwell assays were used respectively to analyze proliferation, viability, and migration and invasion of the cells. The results showed that deletion of Aurora-A may inhibit proliferation and induce G1 arrest. The transwell assay indicated that Aurora-A may promote metastasis of gastric cancer. Collectively, our findings support Aurora-A as an oncogene in gastric cancer. Deletion of Aurora-A may have potential as a therapeutic method for gastric cancer.