Knockdown of Akt2 expression by shRNA inhibits proliferation, enhances apoptosis, and increases chemosensitivity to paclitaxel in human colorectal cancer cells.

Akt2 overexpression correlates with chemoresistance of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the cellular functions and precise signals elicited by Akt2 in LSCC have not been elucidated. Here, we transfected a CRC cell line HCT116 with Akt-2 targeted shRNA in order to establish a cell line with Akt2 knockdown. In vitro experiments showed that knockdown Akt2 in HCT116 cells was associated with decrease in cell proliferation as well as enhanced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that Akt2 knockdown correlated with elevated chemosensitivity of HCT116 cells to paclitaxel. Importantly, we found that knockdown of AKt2 resulted in downregulation of MDR-1 and MRP-1. Our findings may lead to a better understanding of the biological effect of Akt2 and may provide mechanistic insights for developing potential therapeutic strategies targeting AKt2.