Objective To investigate the subcellular localization of ring finger protein 8 (RNF8) and explore its expression and function in gastric cancer cells.
Methods The fusion eukaryotic vectors expressing wide-type or mutant EGFP-RNF8 were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. The subcellular localization of RNF8 was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope; Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect RNF8 expression in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines; the role of RNF8 on gastric cancer cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry.
Results Wild-type RNF8 was mainly located in the nucleus, while both RING and forkhead-associated(FHA) domain mutations could partly affect nuclear localization; RNF8 showed a lower expression pattern in gastric cancer cells and its forced expression in gastric cancer cell line MGC803 led to cell apoptosis.
Conclusion RNF8 may regulate the development of gastric tumor through modulating cancer cell apoptosis.