FPPS mediates TGF-131-induced non-small cell lung cancer cell invasion and the EMT process via the RhoA/Rockl pathway

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, was recently shown to play a role in cancer progression. However, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, FPPS expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage, and metastasis. Inhibition or knockdown of FPPS blocked TGF-beta 1-induced cell invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. FPPS expression of FPPS was induced by TGF-beta 1 and FPPS promoted cell invasion and EMT via the RhoA/Rockl pathway. In conclusion, FPPS mediates TGF-beta 1-induced lung cancer cell invasion and EMT via the RhoA/Rockl pathway. These findings suggest new treatment strategies to reduce mortality associated with metastasis in patients with NSCLC. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.