title: Galectin-3 gene silencing inhibits migration and invasion of human tongue cancer cells in vitro via downregulating β-catenin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a member of the carbohydrate-binding protein family that contributes to neoplastic transformation, tumor survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Gal-3 in human tongue cancer progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human tongue cancer cell lines (SCC-4 and CAL27) were transfected with a small-interfering RNA against Gal-3 (Gal-3-siRNA). The migration and invasion of the cells were examined using a scratch assay and BD BioCoat Matrigel Invasion Chamber, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of β-catenin, Akt/pAkt, GSK-3β/pGSK-3β, MMP-9 in the cells were measured using RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transient silencing of Gal-3 gene for 48 h significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of both SCC-4 and CAL27 cells. Silencing of Gal-3 gene significantly decreased the protein level of β-catenin, leaving the mRNA level of β-catenin unaffected. Furthermore, silencing Gal-3 gene significantly decreased the levels of phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3β, and suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-9 in the cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that Gal-3 mediates the migration and invasion of tongue cancer cells in vitro via regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and Akt phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Ji-nan, China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zheng-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shao-hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zuo-qing
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalin
authors.forename: Shi-san
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Ying-wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Feng-cai
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D015536:Down-Regulation; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014059:Tongue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014162:Transfection; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D037502:Galectin 3; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051176:beta Catenin; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt