CacyBP/SIP protein promotes proliferation and G1/S transition of human pancreatic cancer cells

Calcyclin-binding protein or Siah-1-interacting protein (CacyBP/SIP), a component of the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, could participate in beta-catenin degradation, which was found to be related to the malignant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer previously. However, the role of CacyBP/SIP itself in pancreatic cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, CacyBP/SIP expression was assayed and manipulated to reveal the potential mechanism in pancreatic cancer carcinogenesis. Here, we show that CacyBP/SIP is over-expressed in pancreatic cancer cells. Down-regulation of CacyBP/SIP by small interference RNA (siRNA) severely suppresses the proliferation and tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer. G1/S transition arrest induced by inhibition of CacyBP/SIP is at least partly mediated by down-regulation of Cyclin E and CDK2 as well as up-regulation of p27 and Rb. Collectively, CacyBP/SIP as an enhancer of pancreatic cancer malignance might develop into another possible therapeutic target.