Silencing PPP2R1A inhibits the progression of gastric cancer cells.

Abstract

Background: Protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit A alpha (PPP2R1A) is the most common scaffold protein in the PP2A complex and has known tumor-suppressive functions. However, its role in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. This study aims to elucidate the potential regulatory role of PPP2R1A in the biological functions of GC.

Methods: The mutation status and expression levels of PPP2R1A in GC were assessed through bioinformatics analysis, the correlation between PPP2R1A levels and patient survival rates was examined, and its potential functional network was analyzed. Stable AGS and MGC803 cell lines were set up for overexpressing and silencing PPP2R1A. The effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed through CCK-8 assays, scratch assays, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry.

Results: The expression of PPP2R1A is significantly elevated in GC samples (P < 0.001) and is not caused by mutations in PPP2R1A (P > 0.05). Patients with high levels of PPP2R1A have a poorer 5-year survival rate (P < 0.001). Silencing PPP2R1A significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells while promoting apoptosis (P < 0.01). In contrast, overexpression of PPP2R1A does not have a significant impact on these cellular functions (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: PPP2R1A has potential oncogenic properties in the progression of GC, and knocking down the expression of PPP2R1A can inhibit the tumor progression of GC cells. This suggests that PPP2R1A may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for GC.