Inhibition of fatty acid synthase supresses osteosarcoma cell invasion and migration.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, and may be involved in cancer metastasis. Hence, the strategies targeted on FASN may have therapeutic potential for treating cancer metastasis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of FASN expression with metastasis in human osteosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human osteosarcoma cell lines U2-OS and osteosarcoma biopsy specimens were employed in this study. The expression of FASN protein in osteosarcoma specimens was detected by IHC (immunohistochemistry) and the relationship with metastasis was analyzed. We performed the cerulenin, an inhibitor of FASN, to inhibit FASN expression in U2-OS cells. Western blot and RT-PCR were performed to investigate the expression of FASN in U2-OS cells. Cells mobility was detected by wound healing and Transwell assays. RESULTS: Results showed that the FASN expression level in the cases with pulmonary metastases was significantly higher than in those without metastasis. In vitro, the invasion and migration of U2-OS cells were suppressed by inhibiting FASN. Our findings suggested that FASN may be involved in osteosarcoma metastasis.