Dopamine D2 receptor suppresses gastric cancer cell invasion and migration via inhibition of EGFR/AKT/MMP-13 pathway

•Dopamine D2 receptor expression was decreased in gastric cancer cells.•Dopamine inhibited gastric cancer cell invasion and migration via dopamine D2 receptor.•Dopamine decreased EGF-mediated MMP-13 production via dopamine D2 receptor.•Dopamine attenuated EGFR and AKT activation via dopamine D2 receptor.

Dopamine (DA), an important neurotransmitter, has been reported to play a negative role in tumor progression. DA acts its role via dopamine receptors (DRs), which can be divided into five receptor subtypes (D1R-D5R). Among these receptor subtypes, D2R has been found to inhibit IGF-I-induced gastric cancer cell growth. However, the functions of D2R in gastric cancer cell invasion remain elusive. Here, we found that D2R expression was decreased in gastric cancer cells. DA treatment dose-dependently inhibited EGF-mediated gastric cancer cell invasion and migration via D2R. Furthermore, D2R decreased EGF-mediated MMP-13 production, and attenuated EGFR and AKT activation. Together with the results that EGF promoted gastric cancer cell invasion and migration via EGFR/AKT pathway, these data indicate that DA treatment, acting via D2R, suppresses gastric cancer cell invasion and migration via inhibition of EGFR/AKT/MMP-13 pathway. Thus, our findings suggest that use of D2R agonist may have a potential therapeutic effect on gastric cancer.