Knockdown of translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane 8A enhances gefitinib sensitivity to lung cancer cell line PC-9

doi:10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2025.08.1073

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To explore the alteration and function of TIMM8A during gefitinib-induced growth inhibition of lung cancer cell line PC-9. Methods TIMM8A siRNA transfection experiment was used to inhibit the expression of TIMM8A in PC-9 and gefitinib resistant PC-9 cells (PC-9-MTAC). CCK-8 assay was carried out to assess PC-9 and PC-9-MTAC cell viability after gefitinib treatment or TIMM8A siRNA transfection. qPCR was used to determine TIMM8A expression in PC-9 or PC-9-MTAC cells. Results Gefitinib inhibited PC-9 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of TIMM8A was inhibited during this process, and more than 50% TIMM8A expression had been inhibited by 25 nmol/L gefitinib, while knockdown of TIMM8A enhanced inhibitory effects of gefitinib on PC-9 cell proliferation(P＜0.05). Compared with the sensitive cells, treatment of the gefitinib-resistant PC-9-MTAC with 100 nmol/L gefitinib for 48 h only inhibited approximately 30% of TIMM8A expression. Furthermore, inhibition of TIMM8A expression enhanced the sensitivity of PC-9-MTAC cells to gefitinib(P＜0.05). Conclusions Low expression of TIMM8A improves anti-tumor effects of gefitinib in lung cancer cell line PC-9.

Key words: lung cancer, targeted therapy, gefitinib, drug resistance, TIMM8A

CLC Number:

CHEN Lei,REN Weihao,WANG Lide. Knockdown of translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane 8A enhances gefitinib sensitivity to lung cancer cell line PC-9[J]. Basic & Clinical Medicine, 2025, 45(8): 1073-1077.

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