SNTB1 regulates colorectal cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through YAP1 and the WNT/beta-catenin pathway

Colorectal cancer is a common type of digestive tract cancer with a significant morbidity and death rate across the world, partially attributing to the metastasis-associated problems. In this study, integrative bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify genes that might contribute to colorectal cancer metastasis, and 293 genes were dramatically increased and 369 genes were decreased within colon cancer samples. Among up-regulated genes, top five genes correlated with colorectal cancer patient's prognosis were verified for expression in clinical samples and syntrophin beta 1 (SNTB1) was the most up-regulated. In vitro, SNTB1 knockdown suppresses the malignant behaviors of colorectal cancer cells, including cell viability, colony formation capacity, as well as the abilities to migrate and invade. Furthermore, SNTB1 knockdown decreased the levels of Wnt1, C-Jun, C-Myc, TCF7, and cyclin D1, and inhibited EMT in both cell lines. In vivo, SNTB1 knockdown inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice models. SNTB1 positively regulated Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) expression; YAP1 partially reversed the effects of SNTB1 on colorectal cancer cell phenotypes and the Wnt/beta-catenin/MYC signaling. In conclusion, SNTB1 knockdown inhibits colorectal cancer cell aggressiveness in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo through the Wnt/beta-catenin/MYC signaling; YAP1 might mediate SNTB1 functions on colorectal cancer.

Automated summary

In this study, integrative bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify genes associated with colorectal cancer metastasis. SNTB1 was identified as the most up-regulated gene in colon cancer samples and was found to be correlated with patient prognosis. Knockdown of SNTB1 in colorectal cancer cells inhibited malignant behaviors and EMT, and also suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in mice models. SNTB1 positively regulated YAP1 expression and the Wnt/beta-catenin/MYC signaling was involved in mediating SNTB1 functions on colorectal cancer.