Influence of the Twist gene on the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer

Invasion and metastasis are the major causes leading to the high mortality of colon cancer. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), as a bioactive ginseng compound, is suggested to possess antimetastasis effects in colon cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we reported that Rg3 could effectively inhibit colon cancer cell invasion and metastasis through in vivo and in vitro studies. In addition, Rg3 suppressed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCT15 cells and SW48 cells evidenced by detecting EMT related markers E-cadherin, vimentin, and snail expression. Furthermore, inhibition of Notch signaling by LY411,575 or specific Hes1 siRNA obviously repressed colon cancer cell migration and metastasis, and induced increase in E-cadherin and decrease in vimentin and snail. Meanwhile, the expression of NICD and Hes1 was obviously decreased in the presence of Rg3. However, Rg3 failed to suppress EMT in Hes1 overexpressed colon cancer cells. In particular, Rg3 significantly reversed IL-6-induced EMT promotion and blocked IL-6- induced NICD and Hes1 upregulations. Overall, these findings suggested that Rg3 could inhibit colon cancer migration and metastasis via suppressing Notch-Hes1-EMT signaling.

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RUNX3 Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Human Colon Cancer HT-29 Cells by Upregulating MMP-2/9

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/5978131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Jun Xue ◽

Xueliang Wu ◽

Ming Qu ◽

Fei Guo ◽

Lei Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colon Cancer ◽

Human Colon ◽

Invasion And Metastasis ◽

Vector Group ◽

Human Colon Cancer ◽

Blank Group ◽

Matrigel Invasion ◽

Empty Vector ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Ht 29

Objective. To investigate the effect of Runt-associated transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) on the invasion and metastasis of human colon cancer HT-29 cells and to preliminarily explore the mechanism of its anticancer effect. Methods. The RUNX3 plasmid vector was transfected into human colon cancer HT-29 cells by liposome-mediated transfection, while the empty vector and the blank group were used as the control group. After Geneticin (G418) screening, HT-29 cells with stable expression of RUNX3 gene were obtained. The expressions of mRNA and proteins of RUNX3 and metalloproteinases (MMP)-2/9 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. The effect of RUNX3 on invasion and metastasis of HT-29 cells was evaluated by scratch injury assay, Transwell chamber, and Matrigel invasion model. Results. RUNX3 was expressed stably in HT-29 cells after transfection. The expressions of RUNX3 mRNA and proteins in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the blank/empty vector groups. Meanwhile, the expressions of MMP-2/9 mRNA and proteins in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the blank group and the empty vector group. The proliferation and migration ability in the experimental group was significantly lower than blank/empty vector groups from the third day. Transwell chamber experiment and Matrigel invasion assay showed that the number of Transwell cells was decreased significantly than blank/empty vector groups, but no difference was found between the blank group and the empty vector group. Conclusion. RUNX3 can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of human colon cancer HT-29 cells, and the mechanism may be related to decreased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

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