Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications · 2014 · 53 citations · 24 references
MedicineCancer BiologyCell BiologyMetastasisMolecular OncologySignal TransductionCancer ProgressionEpithelial-mesenchymal TransitionEpithelial-to-mesenchymal TransitionHepatocellular CarcinomaLiver CancerSignal Transduction In CancerCancer Cell MigrationCancer Signaling PathwaysEpithelial-mesenchymal Transition In CancerEpithelial-mesenchymal Transition MarkersHepatocellular Carcinoma MetastasisHepatocellular Carcinoma PathogenesisLoss-of-function ModelsSignaling Pathways In Emt
Protocadherin 9 (PCDH9) was found frequently lost in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we investigated the role of PCDH9 in the development of HCC. We confirmed that PCDH9 was down-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines compared with the adjacent non-tumor tissues. PCDH9 downregulation was significantly associated with malignant portal vein invasion of HCC patients. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that downregulation of PCDH9 facilitated tumor cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We identified PCDH9 as a novel regulator of EMT by increasing the activity of GSK-3β and inhibiting Snail1, indicating its potential therapeutic value for reducing metastasis of HCC.
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