Block of proliferation and survival of colon cancer cells by intestine-specific homeoprotein CDX2

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24680091
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Tumor biology
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Aoki Koji 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門, 教授 (40402862)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: CDX2 / 大腸癌 / オートファジー / ATG7 / ROS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we have found that intestine-specific homeoprotein CDX2 bound to ATG7, an essential enzyme for autophagy, directly via its homeodomain and that CDX2 stimulated autophagy in colon cancer cells. We have also found that CDX2 strongly suppressed proliferation and survival of colon cancer cells through autophagy activation. Notably, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and survival by CDX2 were mediated by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused through autophagy activation. Interestingly, CDX2 increased levels o ROS and suppressed cancer cell survival upon its detachment more strongly than attachment. These results have suggested that CDX2 blocked malignant progression of colon cancer cells including metastasis as well as tumor development.

Free Research Field

薬理学