Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of silencing endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 (EPAS1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of human renal clear cell carcinoma cell line HiMet-ccRCC and to discuss the possible mechanism. Methods HiMet-ccRCC cells were divided into control (Con) group, negative control (NC) group and silencing EPAS1 expression group (EPAS1 siRNA group). RT-qPCR was used to detect the EPAS1 mRNA level in HiMet-ccRCC cells; MTT method was used to detect the proliferation of HiMet-ccRCC cells; Transwell experiment was used to detect the migration and invasion ability of HiMet-ccRCC cells; Western blot was used to detect the expression of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,MMP-9,PCNA. Results Compared with Con and NC group, the expression level of EPAS1 in HiMet-ccRCC cells in the EPAS1 siRNA group was significantly reduced (P＜0.05), the proliferation inhibition rate of HiMet-ccRCC cells was significantly increased and the counting of invasion and migration cells was significantly reduced (P＜0.05), the protein expression of E-cadherin in HiMet-ccRCC cells from EPAS1 siRNA group increased (P＜0.05)and the protein expression of N-cadherin, MMP-9 and PCNA reduced(P＜0.05). Conclusions Silencing EPAS1 could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of HiMet-ccRCC cells and EPAS1 may be a potential biological target for gene therapy of renal clear cell carcinoma.

Key words: endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1, renal clear cell carcinoma, proliferation, migration, invasion