Abstract: Objective: To explore the influence of MUC1 on migration, invasion, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway of human tongue cancer Tca8113 cells. Methods: MUC1 specific siRNA plasmid was established, and liposome Lipo fectamine^TM2000 was applied to transfer MUC1-siRNA plasmid into tongue cancer Tca8113 cells. The expression levels of MUC1 mRNA and protein, cell proliferation and apoptosis, migration and invasion ability in three groups were detected. The expression levels of PI3K, p-Akt and Akt in the PI3K-Akt pathway were also detected. Results: After verified by double enzyme digestion, PCR and DNA sequencing, MUC1-siRNA expression vector was successfully constructed. MUC1 mRNA and protein expression levels in the interference group were significantly lower than those in the negative control group and blank control group (P<0.05). MUC1-siRNA could significantly inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of Tca8113 cells, and reduce the level of PI3K, p-Akt, Akt protein expression, migration, and invasion of cells. Conclusion: MUC1-siRNA can obviously inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tongue cancer Tca8113 cells, and promote cell apoptosis. It is speculated that the mechanism may relate to the the expression inhibition of PI3K-Akt.

Key words: Tongue cancer, RNA interference, Mucin 1, Cell migration, Cell invasion