scholarly journals SPNS2 Downregulation Induces EMT and Promotes Colorectal Cancer Metastasis via Activating AKT Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lv ◽  
Qiyi Yi ◽  
Ying Yan ◽  
Fengmei Chao ◽  
Ming Li

Spinster homologue 2 (SPNS2), a transporter of S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), has been reported to mediate immune response, vascular development, and pathologic processes of diseases such as cancer via S1P signaling pathways. However, its biological functions and expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) is elusive. In this study, we disclosed that SPNS2 expression, which was regulated by copy number variation and DNA methylation of its promoter, was dramatically upregulated in colon adenoma and CRC compared to normal tissues. However, its expression was lower in CRC than in colon adenoma, and low expression of SPN2 correlated with advanced T/M/N stage and poor prognosis in CRC. Ectopic expression of SPNS2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis in CRC cell lines, while silencing SPNS2 had the opposite effects. Meanwhile, measuring the intracellular and extracellular level of S1P after overexpression of SPNS2 pinpointed a S1P-independent model of SPNS2. Mechanically, SPNS2 led to PTEN upregulation and inactivation of Akt. Moreover, AKT inhibitor (MK2206) abrogated SPNS2 knockdown-induced promoting effects on the migration and invasion, while AKT activator (SC79) reversed the repression of migration and invasion by SPNS2 overexpression in CRC cells, confirming the pivotal role of AKT for SPNS2’s function. Collectively, our study demonstrated the suppressor role of SPNS2 during CRC metastasis, providing new insights into the pathology and molecular mechanisms of CRC progression.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongli Li ◽  
Qingjie Mu ◽  
Guoxin Zhang ◽  
Zhixin Shen ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractIncreasing lines of evidence indicate the role of long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in gene regulation and tumor development. Hence, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms of LncRNAs underlying the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We employed microarrays to screen LncRNAs in LUAD tissues with and without lymph node metastasis and revealed their effects on LUAD. Among them, Linc00426 was selected for further exploration in its expression, the biological significance, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Linc00426 exhibits ectopic expression in LUAD tissues and cells. The ectopic expression has been clinically linked to tumor size, lymphatic metastasis, and tumor differentiation of patients with LUAD. The deregulation of Linc00426 contributes to a notable impairment in proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the deregulation of Linc00426 could reduce cytoskeleton rearrangement and matrix metalloproteinase expression. Meanwhile, decreasing the level of Linc00426 or increasing miR-455-5p could down-regulate the level of UBE2V1. Thus, Linc00426 may act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to abate miR-455-5p-dependent UBE2V1 reduction. We conclude that Linc00426 accelerates LUAD progression by acting as a molecular sponge to regulate miR-455-5p, and may be a potential novel tumor marker for LUAD.


Oncogene ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (24) ◽  
pp. 3151-3162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q Zhang ◽  
T Wei ◽  
K Shim ◽  
K Wright ◽  
K Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Sprouty (SPRY) appears to act as a tumor suppressor in cancer, whereas we demonstrated that SPRY2 functions as a putative oncogene in colorectal cancer (CRC) (Oncogene, 2010, 29: 5241–5253). We investigated the mechanisms by which SPRY regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in CRC. SPRY1 and SPRY2 mRNA transcripts were significantly upregulated in human CRC. Suppression of SPRY2 repressed AKT2 and EMT-inducing transcription factors and significantly increased E-cadherin expression. Concurrent downregulation of SPRY1 and SPRY2 also increased E-cadherin and suppressed mesenchymal markers in colon cancer cells. An inverse expression pattern between AKT2 and E-cadherin was established in a human CRC tissue microarray. SPRY2 negatively regulated miR-194-5p that interacts with AKT2 3′ untranslated region. Mir-194 mimics increased E-cadherin expression and suppressed cancer cell migration and invasion. By confocal microscopy, we demonstrated redistribution of E-cadherin to plasma membrane in colon cancer cells transfected with miR-194. Spry1 −/− and Spry2 −/− double mutant mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibited decreased cell migration while acquiring several epithelial markers. In CRC, SPRY drive EMT and may serve as a biomarker of poor prognosis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Xue ◽  
Tingting Du ◽  
Fangfang Lai ◽  
Jing Jin ◽  
Ming Ji ◽  
...  

Abstract Extracellular heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) has been reported to promote cancer cell invasion and migration. However, whether pancreatic cancer (PC) cells expressed membrane-bound or secreted HSP90α and its underlying mechanism for PC progression were still unclear. Our study pointed out that highly invasive Capan2 cells has a higher level of secreted HSP90α, rather than membrane HSP90α, compared with those of less invasive PL45 cells. The conditioned medium of Capan2 cells or recombinant HSP90α protein was able to stimulate the migration and invasion of PL45 or capan2 cells, which could be prevented by a neutralizing anti-HSP90α antibody. Furthermore, secreted HSP90α promoted elements of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PL45 cells, including increases in vimentin and snail expressions, decreases in E-cadherin expression and changes in cell shape towards a mesenchymal phenotype, but these phenomena were reversed by anti-HSP90α antibody in Capan2 cells. In addition, high levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) mRNA were associated with worsened patient survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. LRP1 as a receptor of eHSP90α for its stimulatory role of PC cells EMT and metastasis by activating AKT signaling. Down-regulation of LRP1 could promote chemosensitivity to gemcitabine and doxorubicin, but not to topotecan and paclitaxel in Capan2 cells. Therefore, our study reveals a critical role of secreted HSP90α on EMT events and suggests blocking secreted HSP90α underlies an aspect of metastasis and chemoresistance.


2013 ◽  
Vol 210 (7) ◽  
pp. 1331-1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Jackstadt ◽  
Simone Röh ◽  
Jens Neumann ◽  
Peter Jung ◽  
Reinhard Hoffmann ◽  
...  

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor AP4/TFAP4/AP-4 is encoded by a c-MYC target gene and displays up-regulation concomitantly with c-MYC in colorectal cancer (CRC) and numerous other tumor types. Here a genome-wide characterization of AP4 DNA binding and mRNA expression was performed using a combination of microarray, genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses. Thereby, hundreds of induced and repressed AP4 target genes were identified. Besides many genes involved in the control of proliferation, the AP4 target genes included markers of stemness (LGR5 and CD44) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) such as SNAIL, E-cadherin/CDH1, OCLN, VIM, FN1, and the Claudins 1, 4, and 7. Accordingly, activation of AP4 induced EMT and enhanced migration and invasion of CRC cells. Conversely, down-regulation of AP4 resulted in mesenchymal–epithelial transition and inhibited migration and invasion. In addition, AP4 induction was required for EMT, migration, and invasion caused by ectopic expression of c-MYC. Inhibition of AP4 in CRC cells resulted in decreased lung metastasis in mice. Elevated AP4 expression in primary CRC significantly correlated with liver metastasis and poor patient survival. These findings imply AP4 as a new regulator of EMT that contributes to metastatic processes in CRC and presumably other carcinomas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiong Lei ◽  
Yahang Liang ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
Shuai Xiao ◽  
Jian Lei ◽  
...  

Abstract Metastasis-associated recurrence is the main cause for the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying HCC metastasis remain elusive. Though some data indicated the oncogenic role of Sorcin in tumors, the prognostic value and biological role of Sorcin in HCC is still unknown. In this study, it demonstrated that Sorcin expression levels were significantly upregulated in HCC tumor tissues compared with matched adjacent nontumorous liver tissues and normal liver tissues, and such expression level correlated with HCC metastasis. High Sorcin expression was significantly correlated with aggressive clinicopathological characteristics such as multiple tumor nodules, high Edmondson-Steiner grade, microvascular invasion, advanced TNM stage and advanced BCLC stage (all P < 0.05). HCC patients with high Sorcin expression had both shorter survival and higher recurrence than those with low Sorcin expression (all P < 0.05). Sorcin expression was an independent and significant risk factor for survival and recurrence of HCC patients. Results of functional experiments showed that Sorcin could promote HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and facilitate HCC growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, Sorcin exerted its role by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and promoted metastasis by facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping He ◽  
Xiaojie Jin

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SOX10 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: The expression of SOX10 was initially assessed in human NPC tissues and a series of NPC cell lines through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Then, cell proliferation, cycle, migration, and the invasiveness of NPC cells with knockdown of SOX10 were examined by MTT, flow cytometry, and Transwell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Finally, nude mice tumorigenicity experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of SOX10 on NPC growth and metastasis in vivo. Results: SOX10 was significantly increased in NPC tissues and cell lines. In-vitro experiments revealed that loss of SOX10 obviously inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, as well as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in NPC cells. In-vivo experiments further demonstrated that disrupted SOX10 expression restrained NPC growth and metastasis, especially in lung and liver. Conclusion: Taken together, our data confirmed the role of SOX10 as an oncogene in NPC progression, and revealed that SOX10 may serve as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of NPC, as well as a potential therapeutic target against this disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tengfei Liu ◽  
Junming Yu ◽  
Chao Ge ◽  
Fangyu Zhao ◽  
Chunxiao Miao ◽  
...  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancer worldwide, characterized with high heterogeneity and inclination to metastasize. Emerging evidence suggests that BAP31 gets involved in cancer progression with different kinds. It still remains unknown whether and how BAP31 plays a role in HCC metastasis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been a common feature in tumor micro-environment, whose inducer TGF-β increased BAP31 expression in this research. Elevated expression of BAP31 was positively correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and poor prognosis in human HCC. Ectopic expression of BAP31 promoted cell migration and invasion while BAP31 knockdown markedly attenuated metastatic potential in HCC cells and mice orthotopic xenografts. BAP31 induced EMT process, and enhanced the expression level of EMT-related factor Snail and decreased contents and membrane distribution of E-cadherin. BAP31 also activated AKT/β-catenin pathway, which mediated its promotional effects on HCC metastasis. AKT inhibitor further counteracted the activated AKT/β-catenin/Snail upon BAP31 over-expression. Moreover, silencing Snail in BAP31-overexpressed cells impaired enhanced migratory and invasive abilities of HCC cells. In HCC tissues, BAP31 expression was positively associated with Snail. In conclusion, BAP31 promotes HCC metastasis by activating AKT/β-catenin/Snail pathway. Thus, our study implicates BAP31 as potential prognostic biomarker, and provides valuable information for HCC prognosis and treatment.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2300
Author(s):  
Rofaida Gaballa ◽  
Hamdy E. A. Ali ◽  
Mohamed O. Mahmoud ◽  
Johng S. Rhim ◽  
Hamed I. Ali ◽  
...  

Although integrin alpha 2 subunit (ITGA2) mediates cancer progression and metastasis, its transfer by exosomes has not been investigated in prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to determine the role of exosomal ITGA2 derived from castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) cells in promoting aggressive phenotypes in androgen receptor (AR)-positive cells. Exosomes were co-incubated with recipient cells and tested for different cellular assays. ITGA2 was enriched in exosomes derived from CRPC cells. Co-culture of AR-positive cells with CRPC-derived exosomes increased their proliferation, migration, and invasion by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which was reversed via ITGA2 knockdown or inhibition of exosomal uptake by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). Ectopic expression of ITGA2 reproduced the effect of exosomal ITGA2 in PCa cells. ITGA2 transferred by exosomes exerted its effect within a shorter time compared to that triggered by its endogenous expression. The difference of ITGA2 protein expression in localized tumors and those with lymph node metastatic tissues was indistinguishable. Nevertheless, its abundance was higher in circulating exosomes collected from PCa patients when compared with normal subjects. Our findings indicate the possible role of the exosomal-ITGA2 transfer in altering the phenotype of AR-positive cells towards more aggressive phenotype. Thus, interfering with exosomal cargo transfer may inhibit the development of aggressive phenotype in PCa cells.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingguo Li ◽  
Yaqi Li ◽  
Junyan Xu ◽  
Sheng Wang ◽  
Ye Xu ◽  
...  

Background: Glycolysis is considered to be the root of cancer development and progression, which involved a multi-step enzymatic reaction. Our study aimed at figuring out which glycolysis enzyme participates in the development of colorectal cancer and its possible mechanisms. Methods: We firstly screened out Aldolase B (ALDOB) by performing qRT-PCR arrays of glycolysis-related genes in five paired liver metastasis and primary colorectal tissues, and further detected ALDOB protein with immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 229 samples from stage I-III colorectal cancer patients. CRISPR-Cas9 method was adopted to create knock out colon cancer cell lines (LoVo and SW480) of ALDOB. The effect of ALDOB on cell proliferation and metastasis was examined in vitro using colony formation assay as well as transwell migration and invasion assay, respectively. Results: In TMA, there was 64.6% of samples demonstrated strong intensity of ALDOB. High ALDOB expression were associated with poor overall survival and disease-free survival in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P<0.05). In vitro functional studies of CCK-8 demonstrated that silencing ALDOB expression significantly (P<0.05) inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells. Mechanically, silencing ALDOB activated epithelial markers and repressed mesenchymal markers, indicating inactivation of ALDOB may lead to inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusion: Upregulation of ALDOB promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by facilitating EMT and acts as a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 590-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoting Huang ◽  
Li Xiang ◽  
Yueqiao Li ◽  
Yingying Zhao ◽  
Huiqiong Zhu ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Metastasis is the primary cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related death. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis in CRC remain unclear. Methods: We evaluated mRNA and protein expression levels by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry assays. We also assessed the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells in vitro by wound healing assays, invasion and migration assays, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. Tumor metastasis was evaluated in nude mice in vivo. Results: A positive correlation was observed between the expression patterns of Forkhead box k1 (FOXK1) and Snail in CRC. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that Snail directly bound to and activated the human FOXK1 gene promoter. Moreover, the Snail-FOXK1 axis promote epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-mediated CRC cell invasion and metastasis. FOXK1 and Snail expression levels were correlated with tumor progression and served as significant predictors of overall survival in patients with CRC. Furthermore, overexpression of FOXK1 induced the EMT by upregulating the expression of cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61). Luciferase assays showed that Cyr61 was a direct transcriptional target of FOXK1. Down regulation of Cyr61 decreased FOXK1-enhanced “CRC cell” migration, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, FOXK1 expression was positively correlated with Cyr61 expression and was associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: The Snail/FOXK1/Cyr61 signaling axis regulates the EMT and metastasis of CRC.


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