ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the effects of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9, X-linked (USP9X) down-regula-tion on apoptosis and invasion ability in gastric carcinoma cells, and to explore its possible molecular mechanisms. METH-ODS:USP9X small interfering RNA (siRNA) and control siRNA were used to be transfected into gastric carcinoma AGS cells. The cells were divided into 3 groups, including untreated AGS group, control siRNA group and USP9X siRNA group. The expression of USP9X at mRNA and protein levels in the AGS cells with different treatments was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry and Boyden chamber were employed to examine the apoptosis and invasion ability of the AGS cells. RESULTS:USP9X siRNA significantly down-regulated the expression of USP9X at mRNA and protein levels in the AGS cells. Down-regulation of USP9X markedly induced apoptosis and reduced invasion ability of the gastric carcinoma AGS cells. Notably, down-regulation of USP9X sig-nificantly reduced the protein expression of Mcl-1 and MMP-2, but markedly increased the protein level of Bax. CON-CLUSION:USP9X may be a key regulator for apoptosis and invasion in gastric carcinoma.