Overexpression of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 contributes to the progression of prostate cancer

Spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 is a microtubule-binding subcomplex of the outer kinetochore that is essential for proper chromosome segregation. Recently, spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 has been highlighted as a biomarker in various cancers; however, the precise role of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 in prostate cancer remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate whether spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 affects the biological behaviors of prostate cancer. We investigated the expression of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 in a series of prostate cancer tissues as well as in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated in spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 knockdown prostate cancer cell lines by MTT and Transwell assays. Our results showed that the expression of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 was remarkably upregulated in prostate cancer at both messenger RNA and protein levels compared with non-cancerous tissue. Knockdown of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 repressed the ability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of prostate cancer cells. Moreover, inhibition of spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 could inhibit the activity of AKT and ERK pathway. In conclusion, our findings suggest that spindle and kinetochore–associated protein 1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target in prostate cancer patients.