BACKGROUNDOver-expression of RAB5A gene has been proved to be associated with neoplasia metastasis. This study is to explore the effect of RAB5A gene on invasion and metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines.

METHODSConstituted basement membrane invasion technique, adhesion capability of tumor cell assay, the chemotactic migration of tumor cells assay, and gelatinases SDS-PAGE analysis method were used to detect the changes of invasive and metastatic capability of Anip973 (with high metastatic capability) and its parent AGZY83-a cell lines (with low metastatic capability).

RESULTSAfter AGZY83-a cells were transfected by PcDNA3.1-RAB5A plasmid, its invasion was significantly increased (t=24.36, P < 0.000 5); adhesion capability of cell was promoted (P < 0.05); the chemotactic migration of cells was higher than that of the parent lines (t=14.18, P < 0.000 5); and the activity of gelatinases secreted from transfected AGZY83-a was enhanced. The invasion of the transfected Anip973 cells with PcDNA3-AntiRAB5A was lower (t= 16.510 4, P < 0.002 5); adhesion capability of cell was decreased (P < 0.05); the chemotactic migration of cells was lower than that of the parent lines (t=6.062, P < 0.005); and the activity of gelatinases was obviously decreased.

CONCLUSIONSThis study in vitro indicates that over-expression of RAB5A genes plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastatic phenotype formation of human lung adenocarcinoma cells; and antisense RNA can interrupt the translation of RAB5A gene.