title: Upregulated STAT3 and RhoA signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) regulate the invasion and migration of CRC cells.
abstract: We aimed to reveal the expression and activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling in CRC tissues, and to investigate the regulatory role of STAT3 and RhoA signaling in the invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells.
  
  
  
  We examined the expression of STAT3, RhoA and ROCK1 in CRC tissues with real-time PCR and Western blotting methods. And then we examined the interaction between STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling in CRC HT-29 cells with gain-of-function and loss-of-function strategies. In addition, we determined the regulation by STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 on the invasion and migration of CRC HT-29 cells.
  
  
  
  Our study demonstrated a significant upregulation of RhoA and ROCK1 expression and STAT3-Y705 phosphorylation in 32 CRC specimens, compared to the 17 normal CRC tissues. Further study demonstrated there was a coordination between STAT3 and RhoA/Rock signaling in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, STAT3 knockdown or RhoA knockdown significantly repressed the migration and invasion in HT-29 cells and vice versa.
  
  
  
  STAT3 and RhoA signaling regulate the invasion and migration of CRC cells, implying the orchestrated and oncogenic roles of STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling in CRC.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. wenhuizzchyang@sina.com.
authors.forename: G-Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: W-H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; C515851:ROCK1 protein, human; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein