Bcl-2 associated athanogene 4 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells

Currently, with the increase of morbidity and mortality rate, gastric cancer (GC) is attracting increasing attention in China. Bcl‑2‑associated athanogene 4 (BAG4) has been identified as a tumor promoter in several tumors, but its role in GC remains unknown. The present study aimed to detect the expression of BAG4 and determine its function in the progression of GC. The results from reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting revealed that BAG4 was markedly upregulated in highly metastatic cell lines (SGC7901 and MGC803), compared with the lower‑metastatic cell lines (AGS and BGC823). Through Cell Counting Kit‑8, cell cycle, apoptosis, Transwell and colony formation assays, BAG4 was demonstrated to promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro. Additionally, in vivo assays further certified that BAG4 can increase the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. In conclusion, these findings implicate BAG4 as a potential therapeutic target for GC.