Diversin is overexpressed in human gliomas and its depletion inhibits proliferation and invasion.

Previous study indicated diversin overexpression in human cancers. However, its expression pattern in human gliomas and the molecular mechanisms of diversin on cancer progression have not been characterized. In the present study, diversin expression was investigated in 105 glioma specimens using immunohistochemistry. Negative staining was observed in normal glial cells, and positive staining was found in 33 out of 105 (31.4 %) glioma specimens. Diversin overexpression correlated with advanced tumor grade (p < 0.05). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown was performed in U87 and TG905 cell lines with high endogenous diversin expression. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay showed that diversin knockdown inhibited glioma cell growth. Matrigel invasion assay showed that diversin depletion inhibited cell invasion. In addition, messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) were downregulated after siRNA treatment. In conclusion, diversin is overexpressed in human glioma and regulates glioma cell proliferation and invasion, possibly through MMP9.