Overexpression of ARNT2 is associated with decreased cell proliferation and better prognosis in gastric cancer.

Aryl hydrocarbon-receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT2) is a member of the bHLH PAS (basic helix-loop-helix Period/ARNT/Single-minded) family of transcription factors. Recently, some studies indicate that ARNT2 is associated with the occurrence and development of carcinoma. However, its roles in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. In the present study, we found that ARNT2 expression level is lower in GC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues, and negatively correlated with depth of invasion of the tumor, differentiated degree, and poor survival of GC patients. Overexpression of ARNT2 inhibits cell proliferation. Furthermore, AKT pathway contributed to ARNT2 -mediated PC proliferation. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that high expression of ARNT2 inhibited proliferation of GC cells and affected tumor aggressiveness in GC patients.