ARAF regulates malignant progression of bladder cancer through the p38MAPK pathway.

Objectives: Bioinformatics analysis suggests that the A-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (ARAF) is closely associated with bladder cancer and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of ARAF in bladder cancer. Methods: Genes associated with bladder cancer were analyzed using public databases, and KEGG analysis was performed. ARAF expression in bladder cancer cells was assessed using RT-qPCR and western blotting. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using EdU fluorescence and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected using Transwell assays. EMT-related and p38MAPK pathway proteins were analyzed through western blotting. Finally, the p38 MAPK pathway activator, anisomycin, was used to explore the mechanism of ARAF in cancer cells. Results: Intersecting genes related to bladder cancer were identified from the GeneCards and CTD databases, and ARAF was enriched in the p38MAPK pathway. ARAF expression was elevated in cancer cells, and its inhibition significantly reduced cell proliferation and metastasis, promoted cell apoptosis, and suppressed p38MAPK pathway activation. Anisomycin reversed the inhibitory effects of si-ARAF on T24 cells. Conclusions: Inhibition of ARAF suppresses malignant proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer cells by repressing the p38MAPK pathway.