Silencing of BRF2 inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells

Transcription factor II B (TFIIB)-related factor 2 (BRF2) is involved in the development of cancer, but its role in lung cancer is underreported. The present study aimed to explore the role of BRF2 in the regulation of lung cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect BRF2 protein expression in human lung cancer cells and tissues. Following cell transfection with small interfering RNA for silencing BRF2, the cell proliferation was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and MTT assays. Cell apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined by flow cytometry, wound-healing and Transwell assay. The expression levels of Akt, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Bax, E-cadherin, Bcl-2, N-cadherin, Snail and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in human lung cancer A549 cells were detected by western blotting. The results demonstrated that BRF2 expression was increased in human lung cancer cells and tissues, and that silencing of BRF2 promoted cell apoptosis but inhibited cell proliferation and migration. The protein expression levels of Akt, E-cadherin, p-Akt, Bcl-2, N-cadherin, Snail and EGFR in A549 cells were inhibited by silencing of BRF2, while expression levels of Bax and E-cadherin were increased by silencing BRF2. In conclusion, BRF2 demonstrates high expression in lung cancer and silencing of BRF2 inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells. The current findings provide a novel approach for the treatment of lung cancer.