Abstract:

Objective To explore the expression of FUNDC1 protein in tissues of ovarian cancer and its effects on proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Methods The expression of FUNDC1 protein in tissues of ovarian cancer was detected by immunohistochemical (S-P method). Changes of the cell cycle of ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 were detected by flow cytometry after the FUNDC1 gene was silenced. The abilities of proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 were detected by EdU assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of p21 and p53 proteins. Results FUNDC1 expressed in the cytoplasm of ovarian cancer tissues. FUNDC1 positively expressed in tissues of ovarian cancer, while showed weakly positive or negative expression in normal ovarian tissues. Compared with normal ovarian tissues, the expression of FUNDC1 in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly higher (P=0.021). The expression of FUNDC1 in advanced ovarian cancer tissues (stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ) was significantly higher that in early stage ovarian cancer tissues (stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.012). After the FUNDC1 gene of ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 was silenced, the abilities of proliferation (P=0.032) and invasion (P=0.035)of ovarian cancer cells decreased. Cells at S phase decreased significantly (P=0.015) and expressions of p21 and p53 proteins up-regulated. Conclusion The expression of FUNDC1 protein in ovarian cancer tissues is up-regulated. The regulation of proliferation of ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 by FUNDC1 may be relevant to p21/p53 pathway.

Key words: FUNDC1, ovarian cancer, proliferation, invasion