HAVCR1 Affects the MEK/ERK Pathway in Gastric Adenocarcinomas and Influences Tumor Progression and Patient Outcome

The hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (HAVCR1) gene as a sensitive and specific biomarker has been reported in various diseases. Especially, HAVCR1 overexpression promotes the development and progression of several human cancers. Hence, we aimed to detect the effects of HAVCR1 on gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). We first determined the expression of HAVCR1 in GAC tissues compared with normal gastric tissues based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using bioinformatics analysis methods. Then, we assessed the biological function of HAVCR1 in GAC cells using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, cell counting kit-8- (CCK-) 8, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. Our results showed that HAVCR1 expression was upregulated in GAC tissues and positively associated with poor survival. Loss-of-function analyses indicated that knockdown of HAVCR1 inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of GAC cells. Furthermore, reduction of HAVCR1 in GAC cells can decrease the expression of phosphorylated MEK/ERK. These findings suggested that HAVCR1 may represent a potential biomarker for GAC prognosis, as well as a novel therapeutic target for GAC treatment.