Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) promotes endometrial carcinoma cell invasion and migration by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND: Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) is a novel oncogene overexpressed in several human cancers, but specific contributions to endometrial carcinoma (EC) have not been examined. The aims of this study were to evaluate the GOLPH3 expression in EC and investigate its functions in EC cell proliferation, migration, and survival. METHODS: The expression levels of GOLPH3 in EC patient samples and EC cell lines (HEC-1A, KLE, RL95-2, and Ishikawa) were examined using qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Further, EC cell lines with either ectopic GOLPH3 overexpression or knockdown were established, and the effects on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were investigated in vitro using cell viability and transwell assays and in mice following cell injection. RESULTS: Compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, expression of GOLPH3 was significantly upregulated in EC tissues ([Formula: see text] 0.05), and the expression level of GOPLPH3 was related to the grade of the tumor ([Formula: see text] 0.05). The expression of GOLPH3 was also higher in all four EC cell lines than endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) ([Formula: see text] 0.05). Moreover, GOLPH3 expression was greater in EC cell lines with high invasive capacity than in non-invasive EC cells ([Formula: see text] 0.05). Knockdown of GOLPH3 inhibited EC cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in vitro. Further, knockdown of GOLPH3 also inhibited EC cell invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, GOLPH3 overexpression promoted proliferation and migration. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that GOLPH3 promotes EMT and metastasis of EC cells and predicts the risk of EC progression, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for this malignancy.