Expression pattern and regulatory effect of lysine-specific demethylase 2A gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background Our study aimed to explore the expression and the biological role of lysine-specific demethylase 2A (KDM2A) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods In vitro, KDM2A expression was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. A total of 50 patients with ccRCC were included, and KDM2A expression in ccRCC tissues was assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effects of KDM2A expression on cell biological behavior were examined by cell counting kit-8 assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The prognostic value of KDM2A in ccRCC was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier method. Results The KDM2A expression was significantly upregulated in ccRCC cell line ( P < 0.05). Compared with para cancer tissues, ccRCC samples showed a higher KMD2A mRNA level and a larger proportion of high KDM2A expression (all P < 0.05). High KDM2A mRNA expression was more likely to occur in ccRCC tissues with tumor size > 7 cm ( P = 0.005) and T3-T4 stage ( P = 0.047). Knockdown of KDM2A significantly suppressed the proliferation and invasion, and promoted the apoptosis of ccRCC cells (all P < 0.05). Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that higher level of KDM2A expression in ccRCC patients was associated with lower survival rate ( P = 0.004). Conclusions Our findings demonstrated a vital role of KDM2A in the pathogenesis of ccRCC, which provides a new perspective to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms in ccRCC.