GATA2 promotes glioma progression through EGFR/ERK/Elk-1 pathway.

Among the gliomas, glioblastoma (GBM) is the highest grade and the most malignant glioma tumor. GATA2 is a hematopoietic factor that has been intensely studied in hematopoietic malignancies. Recently, the functions of GATA2 as an oncogene in other types of human cancer have been reported. However, no role for GATA2 in the development and progression of glioma has been reported to date. In the present study, we found that the expression level of GATA2 is upregulated in GBM and is correlated with GBM outcome. Ectopic expression of GATA2 or RNAi-mediated knockdown of GATA2 significantly enhanced or inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells. Moreover, we found that epidermal growth factor receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, as upstream components of the signaling pathway, upregulate GATA2 expression; moreover, GATA2 promotes Elk-1 expression. Therefore, a genetic approach or pharmacological intervention targeting GATA2 could potentially serve as an effective strategy for treating glioma patients.