RNA interference-mediated knockdown of tripartite motif containing 44 suppresses cervical cancer growth in vitro and in vivo

Background Tripartite motif containing 44 (TRIM44) is an atypical member of the TRIM protein family that has been reported to be aberrantly overexpressed in multiple human cancers, including cervical cancer. Nonetheless, the potential role of TRIM44 in cervical cancer development has not yet been determined. Objective In this study, we used an RNA interference approach to knockdown endogenous TRIM44 expression in human cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells, and stable cells with TRIM44 knockdown were obtained. Result TRIM44 knockdown significantly inhibited cell growth, invasion and migration, whereas induced spontaneous apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells. Cells with stable TRIM44 knockdown exhibited reduced levels of Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, c-Myc and beta-Catenin, but elevated levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax in comparison to those transfected with a control vector. In vivo, nude mice injected with stable TRIM44 knockdown HeLa or SiHa cells showed reduced tumor growth than that in control cells. Conclusion Taken together, TRIM44 is involved in tumorigenesis of cervical cancer and may represent a novel molecular target for cervical cancer prevention and therapy.