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.
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 humanFOXK1 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.
Authors: Aikaterini F Giannopoulou; Athanassios D Velentzas; Athanasios K Anagnostopoulos; Adamantia Agalou; Nikos C Papandreou; Stamatia A Katarachia; Dimitra G Koumoundourou; Eumorphia G Konstantakou; Vasiliki I Pantazopoulou; Anastasios Delis; Maria T Michailidi; Dimitrios Valakos; Dimitris Chatzopoulos; Popi Syntichaki; Vassiliki A Iconomidou; Ourania E Tsitsilonis; Issidora S Papassideri; Gerassimos E Voutsinas; Polydefkis Hatzopoulos; Dimitris Thanos; Dimitris Beis; Ema Anastasiadou; George Th Tsangaris; Dimitrios J Stravopodis Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2021-04-22 Impact factor: 6.639
Authors: Xintao Yang; Feng Hu; Jessica Aijia Liu; Shan Yu; May Pui Lai Cheung; Xuelai Liu; Irene Oi-Lin Ng; Xin-Yuan Guan; Kelvin K W Wong; Rakesh Sharma; Hong Lok Lung; Yufei Jiao; Leo Tsz On Lee; Martin Cheung Journal: Oncogene Date: 2020-03-25 Impact factor: 9.867