Proteomics-based identification of the tumor suppressor role of aminoacylase 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

• We identify eleven proteins involved with HCC by comparative proteomic approach.
• ACY1 expression in HCC is significantly correlated with tumor invasiveness.
• Inhibition of ACY1 in SMMC7721 cells promotes cell viability and invasive potency.
• Restoration of ACY1 in BEL7402 cells inhibits cell viability and invasive potency.
• Knockdown of ACY1 increases the expression levels of TGF-β1 and ERK1.

The present work aimed to investigate the expression and role of aminoacylase 1 (ACY1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a proteomic study. The study results revealed that the expression of ACY1 was much lower in HCC tissues. ACY1 expression significantly correlated with the serum alpha fetoprotein level and tumor invasiveness. The knockdown of ACY1 in SMMC7721 cells promoted cell viability and invasiveness. In contrast, the restoration of ACY1 in BEL7402 cells inhibited cell viability and invasiveness. Further studies indicated that the knockdown of ACY1 increased the protein expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 expression. The study’s results indicated that ACY1 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC.