Knockdown of CREB1 inhibits tumor growth of human gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Min Rao
Yonggang Zhu
Xiaoxia Cong
Qianxun Li
Journal: Oncology Reports (2017)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: CREB1; gastric cancer; tumor progression; development; biological roles
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China., Department of Radiotherapy, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China., Department of Gastroenterology, The People's Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China.

Abstract:  cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) gene, has been reported to play crucial roles in tumor progression and development in various types of cancer. Little is known, however, about its role and underlying mechanism in gastric cancer (GC). Herein, we investigated the biological roles and molecular mechanism of CREB1 in GC. The expression level was determined in four GC cell lines by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Recombinant expression vector carrying small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CREB1 was constructed and then transfected into human GC cell line (SGC-7901). Cell proliferation, colony formation, cycle distribution, migration and invasion in vitro were determined by MTT, colony forming, flow cytometry, would healing and Transwell invasion assays after CREB1 knockdown. Tumor growth in vivo was assessed by measurement of tumor volume and weight in a nude mouse model. We found that CREB1 was highly expressed in the human GC cell lines. We also showed that knockdown of CREB1 in SGC-7901 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion and induced cell arrest at G1/G0 phase in vitro, as well as suppressed tumor growth in vivo. In addition, CREB1 knockdown was able to significantly reduce expression of its downstream target genes cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and MMP-9 in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that CREB1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 2B.  The CREB1 protein expression was determined in four human GC cell lines (BGC-823, SGC-7901, MKN-45, AGS) and immortalized gastric epithelial GES-1 cells by western blotting. I include a vertically-flipped version of the CREB1 band. ![file] The GAPDH band was AKT when it appeared in Fig 7 from [Cao et al (2017)] . ![] . Other manifestations include *[above]* Fig 5D from [Liu et al (2016)] .  The ADAM10 protein expression was measured in four HCC cell lines (SMMC-7721, Hep3B, HepG2, Huh-7) and normal hepatic cell line HL-7702 by western blot . *[below]* Fig 4D of [Dong et al (2016)] . ![] , 
 Retracted [6 October 2021] .  Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editorsu2019 attention by a concerned reader that the western blotting assay data shown in Fig. 2B were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to *Oncology 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. ,