SOX5 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell invasion via regulation of Twist1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Med Oncol. 2015 Feb;32(2):461. doi: 10.1007/s12032-014-0461-2. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

Abstract

The transcription factor sex determining region Y-box protein 5 (SOX5) plays important roles in various types of cancers. However, the expression and function of SOX5 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been elucidated. Here, we found that SOX5 is significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Gain- and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that SOX5 promoted HCC cell migration and invasion. In addition, we revealed that SOX5 is linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulation of Twist1. Our results indicate for the first time that SOX5 is a novel regulator of EMT in HCC and may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SOXD Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Twist-Related Protein 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SOX5 protein, human
  • SOXD Transcription Factors
  • TWIST1 protein, human
  • Twist-Related Protein 1