IGF2BP3 aggravates lung adenocarcinoma progression by modulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objectives: The tumor-promoting function of IGF2BP3 has been reported in several cancers. The present study aimed to explore the function and molecular mechanisms of IGF2BP3 are elusive in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods: IGF2BP3 expression in LUAD and its prognostic value were estimated by bioinformatics. RT-qPCR was employed to detect the expression of IGF2BP3 and confirm the transfection efficiency following the knockdown or overexpression of IGF2BP3. Functional assays, including CCK-8, TUNEL, and Transwell assays, were used to determine the role of IGF2BP3 in tumor cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to identify signaling pathways related to IGF2BP3 expression. The effects of IGF2BP3 on the PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by western blotting.

Results: In this study, we found that IGF2BP3 was overexpressed in LUAD, and patients with high IGF2BP3 levels had a lower probability of overall survival. Moreover, ectopic expression of IGF2BP3 enhanced cell viability and metastasis, and reduced apoptosis. Conversely, IGF2BP3 silencing reduced the viability, migration, and invasion while enhancing the apoptosis of LUAD cells. In addition, it was disclosed that overexpression of IGF2BP3 could activate PI3K/AKT signaling in LAUD, while silencing of IGF2BP3 deactivated this pathway. Moreover, 740Y-P (PI3K agonist) reversed the inhibitory effects on cell viability and metastasis, and the promotion effect on metastasis caused by IGF2BP3 silencing.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that IGF2BP3 contributed to the tumorigenesis of LUAD by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling.