Knockdown of TMEM132A restrains the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cells via inhibiting Wnt signaling

Abstract

Transmembrane protein 132 A (TMEM132A) has been recently reported to be a novel regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is a cancer-associated cascade. However, the role of TMEM132A in cancer is not well characterized. Here, we used bioinformatics analysis to analyze the differential expression of TMEM132A in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and determine its diagnostic and prognostic value. Results showed that TMEM132A expression was upregulated in GC tissues. TMEM132A was also found to have diagnostic and prognostic roles in patient with GC. Furthermore, as evaluated by in vitro assays, knockdown of TMEM132A restrained cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells, while overexpression of TMEM132A exerted opposite effects. However, the effects of TMEM132A silencing and overexpression on GC cells were reversed by treatment with LiCl and ICG-001 (the Wnt signaling activator and inhibitor), respectively. In addition, in vivo assays showed that knockdown of TMEM132A suppressed GC tumorigenesis. Hence, our results provide new insights into the oncogenic role of TMEM132A in regulating GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as its prognostic and therapeutic roles in patients with GC. These data highlight the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of TMEM132A in GC.

Keywords:

• TMEM132A
• gastric cancer
• bioinformatics analysis
• cancer diagnosis
• cancer prognosis
• Wnt signaling

Author contributions

Qianqian Gao and Meihua Wang designed the research project. Qianqian Gao and Yufang Chen performed the experiments. Yufang Chen and Lingping Yue collected the data. Ziyan Li analyzed the data. Qianqian Gao drafted the manuscript. Meihua Wang revised and corrected the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability consent to publish

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, MH Wang, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the 16th batch of science and technology plan (applied basic research) projects in Changzhou in 2020 (CJ20200063).