Inhibition of GALNT7 suppresses cell proliferation and invasiveness while elevating cell apoptosis via the inactivation of the AKT pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7) is a glycopeptide transferase which is closely involved in the development and progression of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GALNT7 inhibition on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasiveness and to determine whether these effects are mediated by the protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. METHODS: Negative control small interfering RNA (siRNA) (si-NC) and siRNA targeting GALNT7 (si-GALNT7) were transfected into A549 and NCI-H1650 cells. Afterwards, the AKT activator '740 Y-P' was added to treat the cells with or without siRNA transfection. RESULTS: Cell proliferation was reduced after si-GALNT7 transfection compared with si-NC transfection at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours in A549 cells, and at 48 hours and 72 hours in NCI-H1650 cells. Furthermore, the cell apoptosis rate was increased, but the cell invasive number was decreased after si-GALNT7 transfection compared with si-NC transfection in A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. Phosphorylated (p)-AKT/AKT expression was lower after si-GALNT7 transfection compared with si-NC transfection in A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. Worth noting, the effects of si-GALNT7 transfection on the above-mentioned cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasiveness were repressed by the addition of 740 Y-P in A549 cells and NCI-H1650 cells. CONCLUSION: GALNT7 inhibition suppresses NSCLC cell proliferation and invasiveness while increasing apoptosis through inactivation of the AKT pathway.