DJ-1 promotes colorectal cancer progression through activating PLAGL2/Wnt/BMP4 axis

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Aug 29;9(9):865. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0883-4.

Abstract

Metastasis remains a big barrier for the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous proteomics analysis identified DJ-1 as a potential metastasis biomarker of CRC. In this study, we found that DJ-1 was upregulated in CRC. The levels of DJ-1 were closely correlated with the depths of invasion and predicted patient outcome. Enforced expression of DJ-1 could enhance CRC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by stimulating Wnt-β-catenin signaling. Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively. Furthermore, DJ-1-induced Wnt signaling activation was dependent on PLAGL2 expression. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that DJ-1 can promote CRC metastasis by activating PLAGL2-Wnt-BMP4 axis, suggesting novel therapeutic opportunities for postoperative adjuvant therapy in CRC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1 / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • BMP4 protein, human
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • PLAGL2 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin
  • PARK7 protein, human
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1