Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine promotes migration and invasion of colon cancer cells through epithelial mesenchymal transformation

Background: Colon cancer is the third leading cause of tumor-related deaths in the world. Inhibition of autophagy in the treatment of malignant tumors has attracted extensive attention. However, the association between inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in colon cancer cells has not yet been fully elucidated.Methods: In this study, colon cancer cell lines (LOVO and SW620) were treated with 3-MA. Wound healing assays and transwell assays were used to detect the effect of inhibition of autophagy on the migration and invasion of colon cancer cells. The expression of EMT-associated markers, Twist1, E-cadherin, and vimentin, in colon cancer cells with and without 3-MA treatment was detected by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).Results: Our data showed that inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA significantly enhanced the migration and invasion of colon cancer cells. At the molecular level, inhibition of autophagy upregulated the expression of Twist1 and vimentin, downregulated the expression of E-cadherin, and induced the EMT of colon cancer cells. Conclusions: Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA upregulated the expression of Twist1 in colon cancer cells and promoted cancer cell migration and invasion through EMT. Inhibition of autophagy may have adverse effects on colon cancer.

Automated summary

Inhibition of autophagy in colon cancer cells enhances cell migration and invasion, and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This finding suggests that the inhibition of autophagy may have adverse effects in the treatment of colon cancer.