Knockdown of AQP1 inhibits growth and invasion of human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Yanyan Fan
Yanli Wang
Xiaomeng Zhang
Chunhua Zheng
Journal: Molecular Medicine Reports (2017)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Aquaporin 1; ovarian cancer; cell proliferation; migration; siRNA
Affiliations: Department of Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China.

Abstract:  Aquaporin 1 (AQP1), which is a water channel protein, has been demonstrated to have an important role in cell proliferation and migration of various cancers. However, its specific role in ovarian cancer remains to be elucidated. The present study demonstrated that AQP1 expression was elevated in the majority of patients with ovarian cancer compared with normal ovarian tissues. In addition, a short interfering (si)RNA targeting AQP1 was established, and transfected into the SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line, to investigate the effects on cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion in the ovarian cancer cells using an MTT assay, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell invasion chamber assays, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrated that siRNA targeting AQP1 effectively downregulated AQP1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, markedly suppressed cell viability, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of ovarian cancers cells. These results suggested that AQP1 may serve as a novel target for ovarian cancer treatment in the future. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 2B.  AQP1 protein expression was determined in SKOV3 cells transfected with si-AQP1 or si-NC by western blotting . ![file] Previous occurrences of the lanes (in various arrangements) include Fig 1C from [Pan et al (2015)] . ![] Fig 3D from [Luan et al (2015)] .  Measurement of IRS-1 expression levels in U87 cells by western blot analysis after transfected with the miR-126 mimics or miR-NC . ![] *[left]* Fig 3C from [Ge et al (2016)] .  Western blot analysis of uPA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression following transfection with miR-497 mimic or miR-control. GAPDH was used as an internal control . *[right]* Figs 3C,E from [Liu et al (2015)] .  The ... (C) protein expression levels of PTEN were detected in the HCC cells after transfection with miR-494 mimic or inhibitor. The PTEN protein expression level was detected in... (E) HCC cell lines by western blotting. ![] , 
 Fig 4B.  Cell invasion was determined in SKOV3 cells transfected with si-AQP1 or si-NC by a Transwell invasion chamber assay . ![file] I have concerns. , 
 *[right]* Fig 3B.  Cell apoptosis was determined in SKOV3 cells transfected with siu2011AQP1 or siu2011NC by flow cytometry . *[left]* Fig 2D from [Peng et al (2017)] . Cell  apoptosis ... determined in A549 cells after transfection of miR-338-3p or miR-NC . ![file] Could the authors of either paper comment on the appearance of the same FACS plot in both? , 
 Retracted [19 October 2021] . ----------------------------- Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editorsu2019 attention by a concerned reader that certain of the western blotting data shown in Fig. 2B and flow cytometric data shown in Fig. 3B bore unexpected similarities to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Furthermore, there were additional concerns regarding the possibly anomalous appearance of cell migration data shown in Fig. 4B. Owing to the fact that some of the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to *Molecular Medicine Reports*, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,