title: Gastrokine 1 functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastrokine 1 (GKN1) plays an important role in the gastric mucosal defense mechanism and also acts as a functional gastric tumor suppressor. The specific aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying GKN1 tumor suppressor activity in the progression of gastric cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the effect of GKN1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration in GKN1-transfected and recombinant GKN1-treated AGS gastric cancer cells using in vitro wound healing, microchemotaxis, and invasion assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In GKN1-transfected AGS cells, we observed inhibition of cell migration and invasion in wound healing, transwell and Matrigel assay. Also, GKN1-transfected and recombinant GKN1-treated AGS cells showed decreased levels of ROS and expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway proteins, concomitant with re-expression of E-cadherin and decreased expression of cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of β-catenin, slug, snail, fibronectin, and vimentin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the GKN1 gene may play an important role in the progression of sporadic gastric cancers via inhibition of EMT and cancer cell migration.
authors: Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 505 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.
authors: Jung Hwan
authors: JH
authors: Yoon
authors: Young Hwi
authors: YH
authors: Kang
authors: Yoo Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Choi
authors: In Soo
authors: IS
authors: Park
authors: Suk Woo
authors: SW
authors: Nam
authors: Jung Young
authors: JY
authors: Lee
authors: Yun Sil
authors: YS
authors: Lee
authors: Won Sang
authors: WS
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C477000:GKN1 protein, human; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt