Expression of gamma-synuclein in colorectal cancer tissues and its role on colorectal cancer cell line HCT116.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression pattern of gamma-synuclein in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, and to study the effects of gamma-synuclein on CRC cell line HCT116 biological features in vitro.


METHODS
The expression pattern of gamma-synuclein was determined in 54 CRC tissues and 30 tumor-matched nonneoplastic adjacent tissues (NNAT) 5 cm away from the tumor via real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The relationship between gamma-synuclein protein expression and clinicopathological factors of CRC tissues was analyzed. Three small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting gamma-synuclein mRNA plasmids were constructed and transfected into the CRC cell line HCT116. The stable cell lines were selected with G-418 for 28 d, and the biological features of these cells were examined by cell growth curve, soft agar assay, and cell migration and invasion assays in vitro.


RESULTS
The expression of gamma-synuclein mRNA and protein was much higher in CRC tissue samples than in NNAT samples (P = 0.02, P = 0.036). There was a significant correlation between the gamma-synuclein protein expression and clinical stage and lymph node involvement of CRC (P = 0.02, P = 0.033). In functional analysis we found that down-regulation of gamma-synuclein expression in HCT116 cells could inhibit the growth, colony formation rate, and migration and invasion ability of HCT116 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased expression of gamma-synuclein in CRC tissues and the biological effects of reduced gamma-synuclein expression on HCT116 cells suggest that gamma-synuclein may play a positive role in the progression of CRC.
Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, No. 197 Ruijin Second Road, Shanghai 200025, China.
Qing
Q
Ye
Bo
B
Feng
Yuan-Fei
YF
Peng
Xue-Hua
XH
Chen
Qu
Q
Cai
Bei-Qin
BQ
Yu
Liang-Hui
LH
Li
Ming-Yuan
MY
Qiu
Bing-Ya
BY
Liu
Min-Hua
MH
Zheng
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D051845:gamma-Synuclein / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D051845:gamma-Synuclein