Members of the Kruppel-like factor (KLF) family have been considered as the tumor suppressors for their inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. Dysregulation of KLF2, a member of KLF family, has been observed in various cancer types. However, its expression pattern and functions in the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are unknown. In this study, we examined the expression of KLF2 in PDAC clinical samples and evaluated the functions of KLF2 in the progression of PDAC. KLF2 is shown to be downregulated in PDAC clinical samples and overexpression of KLF2 inhibits the growth, migration, and metastasis of PDAC cancer cells. KLF2 interacts with beta-catenin and negatively regulates the beta-catenin/TCF signaling. Taken together, this study suggests the suppressive functions of KLF2 in PDAC.
Keywords: Beta-catenin/TCF signaling; Cell growth and migration; KLF2; PDAC.