Overexpression of BTG2 suppresses growth, migration, and invasion of human renal carcinoma cells in vitro

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of BTG2 on growth, migration and invasion of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells. Endogenous expression of BTG2 was evaluated in the ccRCC cell lines (Caki-1, 786-O and Caki-2) and noncancerous human renal proximal tubular cell lines (HKC, HK-2 and RPTEC). BTG2 expression was decreased in the ccRCC cells compared with the noncancerous cells (P < 0.01). Then Caki-1 and 786-O cells described as suitable transfection hosts were used in transfection to carry out biological function studies. The three experimental groups were as follows: BTG2-ORF (transfected with BTG2-ORF plasmid), blank-Vector (transfected with pCMV6-Entry), and Cell-alone group (no DNA transfected in). BTG2 expression in the BTG2-ORF groups was significantly higher than that in the controls (P < 0.01). Cell growth was remarkably reduced and the number of migrating or invading cells was reduced in the BTG2-ORF groups compared with the controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E expression were reduced in the BTG2-ORF groups compared with the controls. Here, we have provided data for attenuated BTG2 expression in the ccRCC cells. Overexpressed BTG2 could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion of human ccRCC, and the suppressive effects might be due to down-regulation of MMP-9, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E expression.