Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 regulates the cell cycle and promotes the progression of prostate cancer

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in males worldwide. Arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) expression is associated with tumor proliferation, as it can drive tumor cell growth and promote its invasiveness in several types of cancer. However, its mechanism in PCa remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the function and related mechanism of PRMT7 in PCa cells. Method: The relationship between PRMT7 and PCa was analyzed using the TCGA online database. We used tissue chip techniques method to identify the clinical relevance of PRMT7 expression. PRMT7 expression levels in PCa tissues and cells were verified using RT-qPCR. Cell cycle, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis of PC3 and DU145 cells were observed using flow cytometry, CCK8, wound healing, plate cloning, and cell invasion assays. Gene set enrichment analysis and chip expression profiles were used to predict the potential signaling pathway involved in the action of PRMT7 in PCa. Results: First, TCGA, tissue microarray analysis, and RT-qPCR revealed that PRMT7 expression was increased in PCa tissues and cells. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated PRMT7 knockdown led to a significant reduction in the proliferation of cells, increased cell apoptosis, affected the cell cycle, and decreased cell migration and invasion. Additionally, PRMT7 regulated the functions of YY1, TP53, CCND2, CDK6, and RB1 in PCa. Conclusion: PRMT7 may promote proliferation, migration, and metastasis in PCa cells by regulating the activity of YY1,TP53,CCND2,CDK6, and RB1 in the cell cycle signaling pathway.