GIMAP7 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and glycolysis in lung adenocarcinoma cells via regulating the Smo/AMPK signaling pathway

Background: GTPase immunity-associated protein 7 (GIMAP7) has been previously recognized as a prognostic marker in pan-cancer. Our objective was to explore the function of GIMAP7 in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).Methods: GIMAP7 was overexpressed by transfection with GIMAP7 plasmid, and knocked down using siRNAs. The biological functions of GIMAP7 were examined by employing CCK-8, EdU, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and trans-well assays. The effects of GIMAP7 on the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), oxygen consumption rate (OCR), lactate production, and glucose uptake were evaluated. In addition, the related mRNA and protein expression was detected employing immunohistochemical, western blot, and qRT-PCR. A xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice to evaluate the effects of GIMAP7 on tumor growth.Results: GIMAP7 was lowly expressed in LUAD tissues and cells. GIMAP7 inhibited the proliferation, mobility, EMT, glycolysis, but promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells. Moreover, we also confirmed that GIMAP7 suppressed Smo/AMPK signaling in LUAD cells. By adding the Smo agonist SAG and AMPK agonist GSK621, the results of rescue experiments further verified that GIMAP7 played a role in LUAD inhibition through inhibition of the Smo/AMPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, the role of GIMAP7 in inhibiting tumor growth was verified in vivo.Conclusions: These results demonstrate that GIMAP7 could inhibit cell proliferation, mobility and glycolysis, but accelerate apoptosis via repressing the Smo/AMPK signaling pathway in LUAD.