Numb inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through PAK1/β-catenin signaling pathway in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the expression of Numb in ovarian cancer tissues and to assess the effect of Numb on cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT in ovarian cancer.

METHODS: Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Numb, PAK1, β-catenin, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. MTT was employed to check the effect of Numb on proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Transwell assay was performed to examine the functions of Numb and PAK1 on migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells.

RESULTS: The Numb expression was significantly downregulated while PAK1 and β-catenin were significantly upregulated in both ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. Silencing of Numb promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in ovarian cancer cell lines while overexpressed Numb reversed the above effects. Moreover, the EMT process induced by the inhibition of Numb was regulated through Numb-mediated PAK1/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION: Numb was downregulated and associated with cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT in ovarian cancer through regulating PAK1/β-catenin signaling, providing a novel potential biomarker and potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.