NCAPG facilitates colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway

Background: The condensation complex gene non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G(NCAPG), a cell cycle-associated condensin, is over-expressed in various cancers. However, its biological function in colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be deciphered. In this study, we investigated the role of NCAPG in CRC progression. Methods: Tissues and cells were used to measure NCAPG expression levels and their association with clinicopathological characteristics. NCAPG silencing and overexpression in CRC cells were used to measure its effect on proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression. In addition, mRNA, and protein expression levels of key EMT biomarkers were measured. The underlying mechanism of NCAPG modulating CRC progression was further explored using western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP), and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. Results: NCAPG was over-expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines. High expression levels were associated with differentiation levels, lymph metastasis, and vascular invasion in patients. NCAPG silencing suppressed, while NCAPG overexpression promoted the proliferative, migration, and invasive capacity of HCT116 and SW480 cells. Mechanistically, we discovered that NCAPG participated in regulating the EMT process and the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway to facilitate CRC invasion and metastasis. Additional experiments demonstrated that NCAPG activated the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway by binding to beta-catenin in CRC cells. Conclusion: NCAPG acts as an oncogene involved in the development and progression of CRC by binding to beta-catenin to activate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

Automated summary

NCAPG is over-expressed in colorectal cancer and is associated with clinicopathological characteristics. Silencing NCAPG can suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, while overexpression of NCAPG promotes these abilities. Mechanistically, NCAPG activates the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway to facilitate CRC invasion and metastasis.