BAP-1 Inhibits Gastric Cancer Progression via PI3K/AKT Pathway by Suppressing FOXK1 Expression

Abstract BRCA1-Associated Protein-1 (BAP-1) gene functions as a vital mediator in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. The involvement of BAP-1 in colon cancer has been widely reported, but the role of BAP-1 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate the contribution of BAP-1 in the pathogenesis of GC. qPCR and Western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of BAP-1 in GC cell lines. MTT and transwell assay were employed to determine the cell viability, migration, and invasion. Annexin V-PI double staining was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. We reported that BAP-1 was expressed at a low level in GC cell lines. Overexpression of BAP-1 inhibited cell viability, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted apoptosis in HGC-27 and AGS cells. BAP-1 inactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway by suppressing Forkhead-box K1 (FOXK1) expression. Moreover, overexpression of FOXK1 reversed the effect of BAP-1 on cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and EMT. Our data revealed that BAP-1 inhibits cell viability, migration, invasion, and EMT process and promoted apoptosis in HGC-27 and AGS cells through PI3K/AKT pathway via suppressing FOXK1 expression. Thus, BAP-1 can serve as a potential therapeutic target in GC treatment.