Arginine methyltransferase inhibitor 1 exhibits antitumor effects against cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), a type II PRMT, is highly expressed in several types of tumors including cervical cancer. Arginine methyltransferase inhibitor 1 (AMI-1) inhibits solid tumors by targeting PRMT5. However, the effect of AMI-1 on cervical cancer is still unknown. In this study, we provided the first evidence that AMI-1 reduced cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Suppression of tumorigenicity was also confirmed in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that AMI-1 significantly reduced PRMT5 level in cells and mice xenografts model of cervical cancer. These results suggest that AMI-1 inhibits cervical cancer by type II PRMT5.