Over-expressed RPL34 promotes malignant proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells

Ribosomal protein L34 (RPL34) was reported to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation of prokaryotes, plant and animal cells. In the present study, we analyze the expression and function of RPL34 in NSCLC. Immunohistochemical analysis, qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of RPL34 in NSCLC tissues and cells lines. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell activity of NSCLC cell line H1299 under lentivirus-mediated RNAi on RPL34. Cell proliferation and colony formation assays were used to analyze the role of RPL34 in NSCLC cell proliferation. We found that expression of ribosomal protein RPL34 was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown of RPL34 in NSCLC cell line H1299 resulted in a strong decrease of proliferation, and a moderate but significant increase of apoptosis and S-phase arrest. These data indicate that over-expressed RPL34 may promote malignant proliferation of NSCLC cells, thus playing an important role in development and progress of NSCLC.