Circular RNA circVAPA promotes chemotherapy drug resistance in gastric cancer progression by regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignancy,leading to a high incidence of cancer-associated death.Cisplatin(DDP)-based chemotherapy is the principal therapy for clinical GC treatment,but DDP resistance is a severe clinical challenge and the mechanism remains poorly understood.Circular RNAs(circRNAs)have been identified to play crucial roles in modulating the chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells.AIM To explore the effect of circVAPA on chemotherapy resistance during GC progression.METHODS The effect of circVAPA on GC progression and chemotherapy resistance was analyzed by MTT assay,colony formation assay,Transwell assay,wound healing assay,and flow cytometry analysis in GC cells and DDP resistant GC cell lines,and tumorigenicity analysis in nude mice in vivo.The mechanism was investigated by luciferase reporter assay,quantitative real-time PCR,and Western blot analysis.RESULTS CircVAPA expression was up-regulated in clinical GC tissues compared with normal samples.CircVAPA depletion inhibited proliferation,migration,and invasion and increased apoptosis of GC cells.The expression of circVAPA,STAT3,and STAT3 downstream genes was elevated in DDP resistant SGC7901/DDP cell lines.CircVAPA knockdown attenuated the DDP resistance of GC cells.Mechanically,circVAPA was able to sponge miR-125b-5p,and miR-125b-5p could target STAT3 in the GC cells.MiR-125b-5p inhibitor reversed circVAPA depletion-enhanced inhibitory effect of DDP on GC cells,and STAT3 knockdown blocked circVAPA overexpression-induced proliferation of DDPtreated SGC7901/DDP cells.The depletion of STAT3 and miR-125b-5p inhibitor reversed circVAPA depletion-induced GC cell apoptosis.Functionally,circVAPA contributed to the tumor growth of SGC7901/DDP cells in vivo.CONCLUSION CircVAPA promotes chemotherapy resistance and malignant progression in GC by miR-125b-5p/STAT3 signaling.Our findings present novel insights into the mechanism by which circVAPA regulates chemotherapy resistance of GC cells.CircVAPA and miR-125b-5p may be considered as the potential targets for GC therapy.     

环状RNA _005647通过结合miR-99b-5p抑制心肌细胞中肥厚相关基因的表达

目的研究环状RNA circRNA_005647抑制心肌肥厚相关基因表达的作用机制。方法建立血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)灌注诱导的心肌肥厚小鼠模型。原代分离获得C57BL/6乳小鼠心肌细胞(NMVC),AngⅡ处理NMVC建立心肌细胞肥大模型。利用NMVC,分别感染circRNA_005647重组腺病毒(rAd-circRNA_005647)和转染miR-99b-5p模拟物来研究对NMVC肥大的影响。通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验和RNA Pull-down实验验证circRNA_005647与miR-99b-5p的结合作用。实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测NMVC中心肌肥厚相关基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果在AngⅡ诱导的小鼠心肌肥厚模型和心肌细胞肥大模型中,circRNA_005647及其宿主基因肌球蛋白IXA(Myo9a)表达升高。过表达circRNA_005647可抑制AngⅡ诱导的NMVC中肥厚相关基因心房钠尿肽(Anp)和肌球蛋白重链7(Myh7)基因表达升高。circRNA_005647与miR-99b-5p间存在结合作用。过表达circRNA_005647可抑制miR-99b-5p促心肌细胞肥大的作用。结论circRNA_005647通过结合miR-99b-5p发挥抑制心肌细胞肥大的作用。     

CircRNA_0084927 promotes colorectal cancer progression by regulating miRNA-20b-3p/glutathione S-transferase mu 5 axis

BACKGROUNDColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The 5-year survival rate of patients with early-stage CRC could reach 90%, but it is very low in patients with advanced-stage CRC. Recent studies have shown that circular RNAs play important roles in regulating the migration and invasion of CRC cells.AIMTo elucidate the role of circRNA_0084927 (circ_0084927) in the migration and invasion of CRC cells and its underlying mechanism.METHODSClinical tissue samples and cells were collected, and the expression of circ_0084927 was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The diagnostic performance of circ_0084927 was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The role of circ_0084927 in CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was determined using cell counting kit-8 assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay, respectively. The regulatory relationship among circ_0084927, miRNA-20b-3p (miR-20b-3p), and glutathione S-transferase mu 5 (GSTM5) was identified using databases, luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, and Western blot analysis. AKT-mTOR signaling was also verified after circ_0084927 knockdown or miR-20b-3p mimic treatment.RESULTSThe expression of circ_0084927 was significantly increased in CRC tissues and cells, and it was higher in advanced-stage CRC compared with early-stage CRC. The area under the curve (AUC) of circ_0084927 was 0.806 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.683-0.896]. In addition, the AUC was 0.874 (95%CI: 0.738-0.956) in patients with advanced-stage CRC and 0.713 (95%CI: 0.555-0.840) in those with early-stage CRC. Knockdown of circ_0084927 inhibited the migration and invasion of HCT116 cells. Moreover, circ_0084927 was found to act as a sponge of miR-20b-3p. MiR-20b-3p activation reduced the circ_0084927 level, whereas miR-20b-3p inhibition increased the circ_0084927 level. But the effect was not found after circ_0084927 mutation. In addition, miR-20b-3p expression in CRC patients was also reduced and negatively correlated with circ_0084927 expression. The function of circ_0084927 in HCT116 cells with circ_0084927 knockdown was rescued by miR-20b-3p. Moreover, GSTM5 expression was significantly decreased after overexpressing miR-20b-3p or inhibiting circ_0084927, but its expression was rescued when circ_0084927 and miR-20b-3p were both inhibited. Finally, AKT-mTOR signaling was markedly regulated by circ_0084927 and miR-20b-3p.CONCLUSIONThe expression of circ_0084927 is significantly increased in CRC and higher in advanced-stage CRC than in early-stage CRC. Moreover, circ_0084927 potentially regulates CRC cell migration and invasion via the miR-20b-3p/GSTM5/ AKT/mTOR pathway.     

miR-29对胃腺癌细胞侵袭力的影响

目的探讨miR-29对胃腺癌细胞侵袭力的影响,以期为胃癌的转移、侵袭机制提供线索。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测46例患者胃腺癌标本及癌旁组织中miR-29表达,分析与患者临床病理特征的关系。结果 PCR反应检测结果显示miR-29a、miR-29b、miR-29c在胃癌组织中相对含量分别为14.13±5.78、9.81±1.95、16.77±2.04,在癌旁组织中分别为31.64±10.26、26.88±5.03、52.57±8.02,胃癌组织中的miR-29相对含量明显低于癌旁组织(P0.05);将胃癌组织标本与癌旁组织标本中的miR-29相对含量计算比值(C/P),患者不同性别、年龄、TNM分期、浸润深度、分化程度时C/P值相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);存在淋巴结转移时miR-29a C/P值明显低于无淋巴结转移时(P0.05),存在远处转移时miR-29b、miR-29c C/P值明显低于无远处转移时(P0.05)。结论胃腺癌组织中miR-29表达明显低于癌旁组织,miR-29a在淋巴结转移及miR-29b、miR-29c在远处转移患者胃腺癌组织中表达降低,提示其可能与胃癌的侵袭及转移有关。     

Long non-coding RNA OIP5-AS1 promotes the growth of gastric cancer through the miR-367-3p/HMGA2 axis

Increasing evidence shows that aberrant lncRNAs expression contributes to the progression of gastric cancer (GC). The role of the novel lncRNA OIP5-AS1 and its underlying mechanisms in the growth of GC is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate for the first time that OIP5-AS1 expression was up-regulated in GC tissues and cell lines, which significantly correlated with unfavorable clinical characteristics and shorter survival. The results of in vitro and in vivo gain- and loss-of-function experiments indicate that OIP5-AS1 promoted cell proliferation and colony formation while inhibiting apoptosis of GC cells. OIP5-AS1 functioned as an endogenous sponge for miR-367-3p in GC cells. Restoration of miR-367-3p expression abolished the biological effects of OIP5-AS1 on GC cells. Moreover, we show that HMGA2 was a downstream target of miR-367-3p and mediated the effects of OIP5-AS1 on GC cells. OIP5-AS1 regulated the activities of the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways through HMGA2. In conclusion, OIP5-AS1 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes the progression of GC and may serve as a therapeutic target for managing GC.     

LncRNA cancer susceptibility 20 regulates the metastasis of human gastric cancer cells via the miR-143-5p/MEMO1 molecular axis

BACKGROUNDGastric cancer (GC) is considered as one of the most widespread malignancies. Emerging evidence has shown that lncRNAs can function as important oncogenes or tumor suppressors during GC progression.AIMTo investigate the effect and mechanism of lncRNA cancer susceptibility 20 (CASC20) in the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells. METHODSData mining and clinical samples were used to evaluate the expression of CASC20 in GC and adjacent tissues. CASC20 was down-regulated in GC cells by short-interfering RNA. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and Transwell assays. The expressions of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition were detected by western blot assay. RESULTSThe expression of CASC20 was increased in GC tumor tissues and various GC cell lines. High CASC20 expression was correlated with a high risk of lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in GC patients. In vitro assays showed that silencing CASC20 reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that CASC20 exhibits oncogenic functions by regulating MEMO1 expression through competitive endogenous binding to miR-143-5p, leading to induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONOur findings indicate that CASC20 serves as a tumor promoter by regulating metastasis in GC via the miR-143-5p/MEMO1 axis. CASC20 may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.     

LncRNA CYTOR promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration by sponging miR-205-5p

Background/aimsStudies have found that LncRNA CYTOR is an important regulator of cancer. However, the function of lncRNA CYTOR in pancreatic cancer (PC) is unclear. This study amid to explore the regulation of lncRNA CYTOR in PC.MethodsThe expression of CYTOR and miR-205-5p in PC was detected by RT-qPCR. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and scratch test were conducted to detect the effects of CYTOR and miR-205-5p on proliferation and migration of PC cells. Target gene prediction and screening and luciferase reporter assays were used to verify downstream target genes of CYTOR and miR-205-5p. The expression of Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 6 (CDK6) was detected by Western blotting. The tumor growth in mice was detected by in vivo experiments in nude mice.ResultsThe expression of LncRNA CYTOR was significantly elevated in PC. Knockdown of CYTOR significantly inhibited cell proliferation and migration of PC cells. In vivo animal studies showed that CYTOR promoted tumor growth. MiR-205-5p was a direct target of CYTOR, and the expression levels of miR-205-5p were significantly reduced in PC cell lines. Furthermore, co-transfection of shCYTOR with miR-205-5p inhibitor partially abolished the effect of shCYTOR on cell proliferation and migration. In addition, CYTOR was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-205-5p. CDK6 was a direct target of miR-205-5p, and miR-205-5p mimic and sh CYTOR significantly reduced the expression levels of CDK6.ConclusionCYTOR can promote PC progression by modulating the miR-205-5p/CDK6 axis, which may be a potential therapeutic target for PC.     

Silencing LncRNA-DANCR attenuates inflammation and DSS-induced endothelial injury through miR-125b-5p

BackgroundLncRNA-DANCR is involved in inflammation and acts as a major contributor to colon cancer. The effects and mechanism of LncRNA-DANCR were first investigated in a DSS-induced colitis model in vivo and vitro.Material and methodsSprague-Dawley rats were given DSS to induce the colitis model. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 levels and expression of intestinal adhesion proteins ZO-1 and MUC2 in colon tissues and DSS-induced NCM460 cells were measured using corresponding kits. A hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining assay was performed to evaluate colon tissue pathology conditions. Protein expression levels in DSS-induced NCM460 cells were evaluated by Western blotting, and cell apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay. Gene levels in DSS-induced NCM460 cells were evaluated by PCR. The StarBase online tool was used to predict the LncRNA-DANCR target. The LncRNA-DANCR target was verified using a luciferase reporter assay.ResultsLncRNA-DANCR was up-regulated in DSS-induced groups of rats. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 expression was significantly increased in DSS-induced groups of rats and cells. Zo-1 and MUC2 expression levels were decreased in DSS-induced groups of rats. Silencing LncRNA-DANCR reduced inflammation, cell apoptosis and up-regulated ZO-1, MUC2 and Claudin-1 in DSS-induced cells. MiR-125b-5p was the downstream LncRNA-DANCR target. All LncRNA-DANCR effects in the colitis model were reversed by the miR-125b-5p inhibitor.ConclusionLncRNA-DANCR/miR-125b-5p, which may act as a regulatory axis in inflammation, apoptosis and barrier function dysregulation, can provide an essential reference for the development of new drugs in colitis treatment.     

胃癌细胞多药耐药相关基因的表达与其侵袭转移能力的相关性研究

目的探讨胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901的多药耐药相关基因的表达与其侵袭转移能力的关系。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901的多药耐药相关基因(包括ABCB1、MMP2、CDH1、CD44)的mRNA表达水平。采用细胞划痕实验、Transwell迁徙实验评价两株胃癌细胞的侵袭转移能力,进而探讨胃癌细胞多药耐药相关基因的表达与侵袭转移能力的关系。结果荧光定量PCR实验发现胃癌细胞株BGC-823的ABCB1、CDH1、CD44基因表达较SGC-7901高,而MMP2基因的表达在SGC-7901中较高。细胞划痕实验及Transwell迁徙实验显示胃癌细胞株BGC-823的迁徙能力比SGC-7901强。结论胃癌细胞的多药耐药与侵袭转移有一定的关系,CD44的高表达在胃癌细胞的侵袭转移中可能起主要作用。     

Helicobacter pylori promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by enhancing heparanase expression

Correction to "Liu LP, Sheng XP, Shuai TK, Zhao YX, Li B, Li YM. Helicobacter pylori promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by enhancing heparanase expression. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24: 4565-4577 [PMID: 30386106 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i40.4565]." In this article, we have identified some of the images in Figure 2A, C, E, G, and I are identical to the images in Figures 1B, 2A, 3B, 3E, and 3G of another paper entitled "Liu L, Zhao Y, Fan G, Shuai T, Li B, Li Y. Helicobacter pylori infection enhances heparanase leading to cell proliferation via mitogenactivated protein kinase signalling in human gastric cancer cells.", which was published by us in the Molecular Medicine Reports in December, 2018 [PMID: 30320396 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9558]. The reason why we asked to replace the pictures was that when we were simultaneously preparing to submit our two different articles to the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG) and Molecular Medicine Reports, we uploaded the wrong pictures to the WJG, which were same as those submitted to the Molecular Medicine Reports. We apologize for this negligence and any inconvenience that this may cause. We would be grateful if you could replace the wrong pictures with the correct ones attached.     

血浆miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p和miR-30a-3p水平与早发冠心病的相关性及其初筛价值

目的]探讨血浆miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p和miR-30a-3p水平与早发冠心病(PCAD)的相关性及其对PCAD的初筛价值。[方法]根据纳入标准及排除标准,纳入6例明确诊断的PCAD患者作为PCAD组,纳入6例健康受试者作为对照组,收集PCAD组和对照组血液,提取血清样本并保存,使用DNBseq平台检测两组血清中miRNA水平,筛选差异水平显著的miRNA。根据纳入标准及排除标准,收集78例PCAD患者、75例晚发冠心病患者和69例健康对照者的血液并对筛选的miRNA进行实时荧光定量PCR验证。分析PCAD患者冠状动脉造影报告,采用Gensini评分评估冠状动脉病变的严重程度。Spearman相关性检验分析有关miRNA水平与冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性。ROC曲线分析血浆miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p及miR-30a-3p水平对PCAD的诊断价值,多因素Logistic回归分析PCAD发生的影响因素。[结果]DNBseq平台分析显示,差异表达miRNA 33个,其中上调miRNA 17个,下调miRNA 16个,差异水平最为显著的5个miRNA分别为miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p、miR-424-3p和miR-30a-3p;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,与对照组相比,PCAD患者血浆miR-1228-5p升高1.7倍,miR-34a-5p升高1.4倍,miR-192-5p升高0.7倍,miR-30a-3p升高2.5倍(P＜0.05),两组间血浆miR-424-3p水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);血浆miR-1228-5p和miR-34a-5p水平与PCAD患者冠状动脉狭窄程度均呈正相关(r＝0.307,P＝0.004;r＝0.238,P＝0.036);ROC曲线分析显示,miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p和miR-30a-3p诊断PCAD的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.903、0.832、0.731及0.798,其联合诊断PCAD的ROC曲线下面积为0.990,95%CI为0.976～1.000。[结论]PCAD患者血浆miR-1228-5p、miR-34a-5p、miR-192-5p和miR-30a-3p水平显著升高,其联合检测诊断PCAD具有较高的准确性,有望成为初筛PCAD的新型生物标志物。     

Effect of Fibulin-5 on cell proliferation and invasion in human gastric cancer patients

Objective:To explore the effect of Fibulin-5 expression on cell proliferation and invasion in human gastric cancer patients.Methods:Fibulin-5 expression was detected in 56 samples of surgically resected gastric cancer and paired noncancerous tissues using qRT-PCR and immunoblotting.Fibulin-5 was knocked dowu by Fibulin-5 shRNA in MGC-803 cells,then Brdu cell proliferation and transwell invasion assays were used to determine cell proliferation and invasion.Results:The level of Fibulin-5 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher as compared with that in normal tumor-adjacent tissues(P0.05).Otherwise,the level of Fibulin-5 protein in cancer and noucancerous tissues was consistent with mRNA expression(P0.05).Fibulin-5 protein expression in tumor tissues with poorly differentiated.lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM tumor stage was significantly higher(P0.05.respectively).Fibulin-5 was obviously knocked down by Fibulin-5 shRNA(P0.05).and Fibulin-5 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in MGC-803 cells(P0.05.respectively).Conclusions:The high-expression of Fibulin-5 is associated with the malignant clinicopathologic parameters in gastric cancer and Fibuliu-5 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in MGC-803 cells.suggesting Fibulin-5 may act as a key factor in the progression of gastric cancer.     

circPUM1通过调控miR-524-5p表达对结肠癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响

目的探讨环状RNA PUM1(circPUM1)对结肠癌细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移、侵袭的影响及其分子机制。方法实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测结肠癌组织、癌旁组织中circPUM1、微小RNA-524-5p(miR-524-5p)的表达量。体外培养人结肠癌细胞株SW620,分别将si-NC、si-circPUM1、miR-NC、miR-524-5p mimics、si-circPUM1与anti-miR-NC、si-circPUM1与anti-miR-524-5p转染至SW620细胞。甲基噻唑基四唑(MTT)检测细胞增殖;Transwell小室实验检测细胞迁移、侵袭能力;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;双荧光素酶报告实验验证circPUM1是否能够结合miR-524-5p;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测细胞周期蛋白1(Cyclin D1)、p21、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2)、B淋巴细胞瘤-2相关蛋白(Bax)表达量。结果结肠癌组织circPUM1的表达水平显著高于癌旁组织(P<0.05),miR-524-5p的表达水平显著降低(P<0.05);干扰circPUM1表达或miR-524-5p过表达后,细胞活力显著降低(P<0.05),迁移细胞数与侵袭细胞数显著减少(P<0.05),细胞凋亡率显著升高(P<0.05),Cyclin D1、MMP-2、MMP-9、Bcl-2蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05),p21、Bax蛋白表达显著升高(P<0.05);双荧光素酶报告实验证实circPUM1可靶向结合miR-524-5p的作用位点;抑制miR-524-5p表达可减弱干扰circPUM1表达对SW620细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移、侵袭的作用。结论circPUM1可通过海绵吸附miR-524-5p促进结肠癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭,抑制细胞凋亡。     

Helicobacter pylori promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by enhancing heparanase expression

AIM To detect the mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer(GC).METHODS Specimens from 99 patients with GC were collected. The correlation among H. pylori infection, heparanase(HPA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) expression, which was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the clinical features of GC was analysed using SPSS 22.0. Overall survival(OS) and relapse-free survival(RFS) of GC patients were estimated by the KaplanMeier method. Independent and multiple factors of HPA and MAPK with prognosis were determined with COX proportional hazards models. HPA and MAPK expression in MKN-45 cells infected with H. pylori was analysed using Western blot. RESULTS H. pylori infection was observed in 70 of 99 patients with GC(70.7%), which was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. H. pylori infection was related to lymph metastasis and expression of HPA and MAPK(P 0.05); HPA expression was relevant to MAPK expression(P = 0.024). HPA and MAPK expression in MKN-45 cells was significantly upregulated following H. pylori infection and peaked at 24 h and 60 min, before decreasing(P 0.05). SB203580, an inhibitor of MAPK, significantly decreased HPA expression. HPA was related to lymph metastasis and invasive depth. HPA positive GC cases and H. pylori positive GC cases showed poorer prognosis than HPA negative cases(P 0.05). COX models showed that the prognosis of GC was connected with HPA expression, lymph metastasis, tissue differentiation, and invasive depth. CONCLUSION H. pylori may promote the invasion and metastasis of GC by increasing HPA expression that may associate with MAPK activation, thus causing a poorer prognosis of GC.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer

The mortality rate of gastric cancer worldwide is as high as 70%, despite the development of novel therapeutic strategies. One reason for the high mortality is the rapid and uninhibited spread of the disease, such that the majority of patients are diagnosed at a stage when efficient therapeutic treatment is not available. Therefore, in-depth research is needed to investigate the mechanism of gastric cancer metastasis and invasion to improve outcomes and provide biomarkers for early diagnosis. The mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway is widely expressed in multicellular organisms, with critical roles in multiple biological processes, such as cell proliferation, death, differentiation, migration, and invasion. The MAPK pathway typically responds to extracellular stimulation. However, the MAPK pathway is often involved in the occurrence and progression of cancer when abnormally regulated. Many studies have researched the relationship between the MAPK signaling pathway and cancer metastasis and invasion, but little is known about the important roles that the MAPK signaling pathway plays in gastric cancer. Based on an analysis of published data, this review aims to summarize the important role that the MAP kinases play in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer and attempts to provide potential directions for further research and clinical treatment.