CDCA5 regulates proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma and has potential as a negative prognostic marker

BACKGROUND: CDCA5 plays an important role in the development of various human cancers, but the associated mechanisms have not been investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated expression levels and functions of CDCA5 in HCC and showed that CDCA5 is upregulated in HCC tissues compared with paired or unpaired normal liver tissues. RESULTS: Increased CDCA5 expression in HCCs was significantly associated with shorter survival of patients. Knockdown of CDCA5 using lentivirus-mediated shRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation and suppressed cell survival, as well as induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and cell apoptosis of HCC cells. The tumor suppression effects of CDCA5 knockdown were mediated by decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and CyclinB1, which were increased in HCC tissues comparing with adjacent normal liver tissues. Moreover, upregulation of CDCA5 was positively associated with increased CDK1 and CyclinB1 expression in HCC tissues. CONCLUSION: The present data warrant consideration of CDCA5 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.