PTEN downregulation induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in uterine cervical cancer cells

The tumor suppressors PTEN and p53 are often downregulated in various human cancer types, which has been associated with a poor prognosis. Recent evidence implies that PTEN downregulation may induce growth arrest of kidney cells and cancer cells. In the present study, the role of PTEN in the proliferation and survival of cervical cancer cells was investigated. It was found that PTEN silencing promoted apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, accompanied by a significant decrease in the proportion of cells in the S1 phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, PTEN silencing in cervical cancer cells increased levels of p53, p27, p21, phospho-ERK and cleaved caspase-3, and decreased levels of cyclin A2 and cyclin D1. Furthermore, PTEN knockdown significantly impacted the viability of cervical cancer cells. P53 silencing did not affect the ability of PTEN knockdown to induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Taken together, the present study results imply that PTEN silencing induces apoptosis and decreases proliferation in cervical cancer cells; hence, PTEN inhibition may represent a promising strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer.