Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) inhibits Raf (a key element in the ERK/MAPK pathway) and is regarded as anti-tumoral. In contrast, 14-3-3 is considered protumoral. However, the pathogenetic role of RKIP and 14-3-3ε in gastric cancer is unclear.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 14-3-3ε and RKIP on SGC7901, the regulation of the ERK/MAKP pathway by both, and the interaction between the two proteins.

RKIP and 14-3-3ε genes were introduced into SGC7901 cells using gene cloning technique, then, the bioactivities including the proliferation, migration and invasion of the cells were assessed by MTT and migration assays. ERK/MAKP pathway's activity was examined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, immunoprecipitation and 3D-immunolocalization techniques.

Our results showed that RKIP inhibited SGC7901 cells' bioactivities whereas 14-3-3ε upregulated them through the involvement of the ERK/MAPK pathway. RKIP inactivated this pathway, but 14-3-3ε activated it. RKIP and 14-3-3ε were co-localized in the cells and interacted with each other; this attributed to their opposite influence on the ERK/MAPK pathway and the cells bioactivities.

The ERK/MAPK pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer; RKIP and 14-3-3ε exert an opposite effect on this pathway and the cells possibly via both direct and indirect reactions with the elements in this pathway. The interaction between RKIP and 14-3-3ε may also contribute to their pathogenetic roles in gastric cancer.

PMID: 22899242 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Source: National Library of Medicine.