Role of Bclaf1 in Promoting Adrenocortical Carcinoma Proliferation: A Study Combining the Use of Bioinformatics and Molecular Events

PURPOSE: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis, and researchers are interested in further studying its diagnosis and treatment. Our study aims to identify new potential therapeutic targets in ACC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The core genes CDK1 and CCNB1 were previously screened using ACC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as the most relevant to Bclaf1 and tumour prognosis. We used siRNA- or shRNA-based models to explore the role of Bcl-2-associated transcription factor 1 (Bclaf1) in SW-13 cell lines. Western blotting and qPCR were used to determine the effects of Bclaf1 on CDK1 and Cyclin B1. RESULTS: Based on biological information analysis, we found that Bcl-2-associated transcription factor 1 (Bclaf1) affected the progression of ACC and was associated with the cell cycle. Downregulated Bclaf1 expression inhibited the proliferation of SW-13 cells and affected the cell cycle process of SW-13 cells. BCLAF1 was correlated with CDK1 and CCNB1 and can regulate their mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION: Bclaf1 might promote the development of ACC by regulating CDK1 and Cyclin B1 to drive mitosis.