ATF3 gene regulates cell form and migration potential of HT29 colon cancer cells.

We formally reported that ATF3 gene regulated HT29 colon cancer cell metastasis through cell adhesion and invasion. We report here our findings that, on wound filling assay, the ATF3 antisense oligonucleotide changed cell form to a rounder shape and suppressed the cell migration ability of HT29, although FACScan analysis showed that it had no effect on the cell cycle. The growing area of HT29 cells treated with the antisense oligonucleotide decreased, compared with that treated with the sense oligonucleotide. These factors were thought to relate to adhesion and invasion of HT29 cells, hence they influenced metastatic potential.