ATAD2 is associated with malignant characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive human cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. To develop a novel strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment, it is essential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the invasion and proliferation of cancer cells. ATPase family AAA domain containing protein 2 (ATAD2) is a highly conserved protein with an AAA+ domain and a bromodomain. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that ATAD2 is associated with the progression of multiple cancers. The present study demonstrated that ATAD2 depletion suppressed cell invasion and migration. In addition, ATAD2 knockdown suppressed anchorage-independent growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, ATAD2 depletion was demonstrated to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine. The results of the present study indicate that ATAD2 is involved in the malignant characteristics of pancreatic cancer.