The Effect of Down-Regulation of ARL9 Expression on the Proliferation, Metastasis, and Biological Behavior of Gastric Cancer Cell Line AGS

Abstract Background: This study examines ADP-ribosylation factor-like 9 (ARL9) expressions in stomach cancer and its impact on the proliferation, metastasis, and overall behavior of gastric carcinoma cells. Objectives: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the ARL9 expression within stomach cancer cells and elucidate its influence on the modulation of cancer cell behavior. Materials and methods: Differential ARL9 protein expression in normal stomach and stomach cancer tissue was ascertained through data sourced from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer (ALCAN) database. Quantitative analysis of ARL9 expression in stomach cancer tissue and its association with Clinicopathological characteristics were conducted using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and WB methods. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to suppress ARL9 protein expression in the human stomach gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line. Assessment of AGS gastric cancer (GC)cell proliferation, invasion, and migration was performed utilizing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Transwell techniques. Results: The expression of ARL9 protein exhibited a significant upregulation in GC tissue, and its expression showed a close association between tumour dimensions (p<0.05) and the presence of distant metastases (p<0.05) among individuals diagnosed with GC. However, no significant link was observed with sex, age, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging in gastric malignancy patients. After the introduction of si-ARL9 in the experimental set, there was a noteworthy decrease in ARL9 protein levels in AGS cells (p<0.01). In contrast to the control cohort, the restraint of ARL9 expression significantly hampered the growth, mobility, and infiltration abilities of the AGS GC cell line (p<0.01). Conclusions: ARL9's significant correlation with GC's biological behavior indicates its potentially pivotal role in the malignancy's pathophysiology. Keywords: Gastric carcinoma; ARL9 gene; cellular growth; SiRNA intervention; metastatic dissemination Background: