Role and molecular mechanism of APOBEC3B in the development and of cancer

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor with a high mortality rate. Abnormal APOBEC3B (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3B) expression increases tumor susceptibility. However, the exact molecular mechanism of APOBEC3B expression in the development of gastric cancer is still unknown. We investigated the effect of APOBEC3B on the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer cells and discussed the role of APOBEC3B in the development and progression of gastric cancer. APOBEC3B protein levels were measured in 161 gastric cancer samples using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Both in vitro and in vivo assays were performed, and molecules were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis and western blotting. APOBEC3B was overexpressed in gastric cancer. Moreover, APOBEC3B significantly enhanced cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Regarding the underlying mechanism, APOBEC3B promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by upregulating P53, MCM2 (minichromosome maintenance protein 2), and cyclin D1. Our results suggest that APOBEC3B is involved in cancer progression, providing a new theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.