Silence of MACC1 decreases cell migration and invasion in human malignant melanoma through inhibiting the EMT.

Metastasis-associated colon cancer 1 (MACC1) has been demonstrated to promote metastasis of several cancers via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, its biological behavior in human malignant melanoma remains unclear. In this study, MACC1 downregulation was established in two melanoma cell lines (A375 and G361 cells) using RNA interference, as confirmed by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of MACC1 silencing on cell mobility, migration and invasion using scratch wound and Transwell assays. Our results indicated that knockdown of MACC1 significantly suppressed cell migration and invasion ability of both melanoma cell lines. Moreover, downregulation of MACC1 upregulated E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin, as confirmed by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescent Staining analysis. These findings suggest MACC1 might serve as a new molecular target for the treatment of melanoma by a novel mechanism underlying the metastasis of melanoma cells.