Aldolase A as a prognostic factor and mediator of progression via inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

Glycolysis is regarded as the hallmark of cancer development and progression, which involves a multistep enzymatic reaction. This study aimed to explore the clinicopathological significance and potential role of glycolytic enzyme aldolase A ( ALDOA ) in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer ( GC ). ALDOA was screened from three paired liver metastasis tissues and primary GC tissues and further explored with clinical samples and in vitro studies. The ALDOA protein level significantly correlated with a larger tumor diameter ( P = .004), advanced T stage ( P < .001), N stage ( P < .001) and lymphovascular invasion ( P = .001). Moreover, the expression of ALDOA was an independent prognostic factor for the 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival of patients with GC in both univariate and multivariate survival analyses ( P < .05). Silencing the expression of ALDOA in GC cell lines significantly impaired cell growth, proliferation and invasion ability ( P < .05). Knockdown of the expression of ALDOA reversed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. Mechanically, ALDOA could affect the hypoxia‐inducible factor ( HIF )‐1α activity as demonstrated by the HIF ‐1α response element–luciferase activity in GC cells. Collectively, this study revealed that ALDOA was a potential biomarker of GC prognosis and was important in the carcinogenesis and progression of human GC .