A gene encoding a family with sequence similarity 84, member A (FAM84A) enhanced migration of human colon cancer cells.

Using genome-wide cDNA microarray analysis, we identified a number of genes whose expression was up-regulated frequently in colorectal cancer. One of these was a gene termed FAM84A that was not expressed in any of the 23 normal tissues examined except the testis. Although immuno-cytochemical staining revealed localization of FAM84A protein in the subcellular membrane region, the staining was limited to the region lacking attachment with neighboring cells. In addition, we found that exogenous FAM84A expression increased cell motility in NIH3T3 cells, and that phosphorylation of serine 38 of FAM84A was associated with morphology of cells. Our results indicate a possibility that up-regulation of FAM84A plays a critical role in progression of colon cancer.