TRIM32 Promotes the Growth of Gastric Cancer Cells through Enhancing AKT Activity and Glucose Transportation

Tripartite motif protein 32 (TRIM32), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a member of the TRIM protein family. However, the underlying function of TRIM32 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the function of TRIM32 in GC cells. TRIM32 was induced silencing and overexpression using RNA interference (RNAi) and lentiviral-mediate vector in GC cells, respectively. Moreover, the PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 was used to examine the relationship between TRIM32 and AKT. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein contents. The glucose analog 2-NBDG was used as a fluorescent probe for determining the activity of glucose transport. An annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate apoptosis detection kit was used to stain NCI-N87, MKN74, and MKN45 cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to examine cell proliferation. Our results indicated that TRIM32 was associated with poor overall survival of patients with GC. Moreover, TRIM32 was a proproliferation and antiapoptosis factor and involved in the AKT pathway in GC cells. Furthermore, TRIM32 possibly mediated the metabolism of glycolysis through targeting GLUT1 and HKII in GC cells. Importantly, TRIM32 silencing deeply suppressed the tumorigenicity of GC cells in vivo. Our findings not only enhanced the understanding of the function of TRIM32 but also indicated its potential value as a target in GC treatment.