Prdx2 Upregulation Promotes the Growth and Survival of Gastric Cancer Cells

Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) play important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and the mediation of intracellular signalling pathways. Prdx2 is an important member of the peroxiredoxin family and is upregulated in many cancers. Until now, the biological functions of Prdx2 in gastric cancer have not been completely understood, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of this study was to identify the role of Prdx2 on the growth of gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that Prdx2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines and that the over-expression of Prdx2 correlated with the progression of gastric cancer. Further, Prdx2 was silenced with a specific, lentiviral vector-mediated shRNA, and this suppressed the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and promoted the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Finally, the knockdown of Prdx2 contributed to the attenuated gastric cancer growth in BALB/c nude mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that Prdx2 may participate in the carcinogenesis and development of gastric cancer.