Inhibition of Y Box Binding Protein 1 Suppresses Cell Growth and Motility in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Although chemo- or radiotherapy is usually performed in patients with colorectal cancer, the response is highly variable in locally rectal cancer. Therefore, additional studies are needed on predictable markers and the molecular mechanisms of chemo- and radiotherapy. Y box binding protein 1 (YB1) is an oncoprotein that is aberrantly expressed in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, to date there are no targeting agents or strategies to inhibit YB1 expression. Here, we investigate the oncogenic function of YB1 in colorectal cancer and methods to control its expression. We observed that YB1 expression level is correlated with colorectal cancer survival rate. Moreover, YB1 overexpression was associated with colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis and invasion. We also found that radiation exposure increased YB1 expression, which led to radioresistant colorectal cancer, mediated through the activation of cancer stem cell marker CD44 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. This study revealed, by both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> assays, that depletion of YB1 could reduce cell proliferation and motility in colorectal cancer. We further demonstrated that the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 suppressed YB1 expression and enhanced the cytotoxicity of radiation. In addition, combined treatment with BEZ235 and radiation showed a significant antitumor response in an <i>in vivo</i> mouse xenograft model. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the activation of YB1 is a major factor in radioresistance and suggest that targeting YB1-mediated signaling is a promising therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.