The ubiquitin ligase CHIP modulates cellular behaviors of gastric cancer cells by regulating TRAF2

BACKGROUND: CHIP is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays contrast roles in diverse human malignancies, depending on its targets. To date, the mechanisms underlying the function of CHIP in gastric cancer remains unclear. Here, we aim to further clarify the effects of CHIP on the development and progression of gastric cancer and explore its potential target. METHODS: Stably transfected CHIP-shRNA and TRAF2-shRNA AGS gastric cancer cell lines were established using Lipofectamine 2000. Cell growth was measured by an xCelligence real-time monitoring system and colony formation assay. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK-8, Ki-67, or CFSE assays. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay or Annexin V/PI-staining followed by flow cytometric analysis. Cell cycle distribution was detected by PI-staining followed by flow cytometric analysis. Cell migration and invasion abilities were measured by a real-time xCelligence system, Transwell insert, and scratch assays. The expression of cell cycle-related proteins, apoptosis-related proteins, AKT, ERK, NF-κB signaling subunits, MMP2, MMP9, and Integrin β-1 were detected by Western blotting analysis. NF-κB DNA-binding capability was quantified using an ELISA-based NF-κB activity assay. Gastric cancer tissue microarray was analyzed to investigate the expression of both CHIP and TRAF2, and their clinical significance. RESULTS: The CHIP-silencing in the AGS cells was oncogenic evidenced by the appearance of capable of anchorage-independent growth. The CHIP-silencing significantly enhanced the AGS cell proliferation capability likely due to the induced phosphorylation of ERK. The CHIP-silencing significantly inhibited apoptosis due to increased expression of Bcl-2. The CHIP-silencing promoted the AGS cell migration and invasion abilities, likely by regulating the expression of Integrin β-1. TRAF2 expression was markedly decreased in the CHIP-overexpressing cells at protein level, but not at mRNA level. The TRAF2-silencing markedly inhibited the proliferation ability of the AGS cells, the defected cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis were involved in. The TRAF2-silencing also attenuated the cell migration and invasion capacities of the AGS cells. Furthermore, the expression of CHIP was downregulated while the expression of TRAF2 was upregulated in gastric cancer tissues. TRAF2 expression is independent prognostic factors of gastric cancer. The expression of CHIP and TRAF2 was negatively correlated in the gastric cancer tissue. Lower CHIP or higher TRAF2 was significantly linked to shorter overall survival in gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: TRAF2 influenced diverse aspects of cellular behavior of gastric cancer cells, including cell growth, migration, and invasion, which was in contrast to the functions of CHIP. TRAF2 could be considered as an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer patients. It is possible that TRAF2 was a substrate of CHIP and CHIP regulated the TRAF2/NF-κB axis, which modulated diverse cellular behaviors in the AGS gastric cancer cells. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0832-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.