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Propofol affects the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells via ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway


Ruchang Yin
Chunyan Zhang
Aizhi Gen
Yanxiao Li
Hailei Yang
Xin Tian
Yasong Chi

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of propofol on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells, and the mechanism of action involved.


Methods: SKOV3 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control group, fat emulsion group, low-dose propofol group (LDPG, 25 μmol/L), medium-dose propofol group (MDPG) (50 μmol/L) and high-dose propofol group (HDPG) (100 μmol/L). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, while Transwell assay was used to measure the migration and invasion abilities of the cells. The protein levels of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were assayed with Western blotting. Moreover, the cells were transfected with siERK, and the regulatory effect of propofol on ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling pathway was determined.


Results: Apoptosis in HDPG was significantly reduced, relative to MDPG, while migration and invasion were enhanced, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). Moreover, MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 proteins were significantly higher in MDPG and HDPG than in control, fat emulsion and LDPGs (p < 0.05), and were upregulated in HDPGs, relative to MDPG (p < 0.05). In contrast, propofol did not up-regulate these proteins in siRNA-treated cells.


Conclusion: Propofol enhances the migration, proliferation, and invasive ability SKOV3 cells, and upregulates the expressions of MMP-2, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 in these cells, via a mechanism related to the activation of ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signaling route. These properties provide novel leads for the development of new drugs for ovarian cancer


Keywords: Propofol, ERK1/2-MMP-2/9 signal route, Ovarian cancer, Biological behavior


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996