title: Histone demethylase PHF8 promotes progression and metastasis of gastric cancer.
abstract: Histone demethylase plant homeodomain (PHD) finger protein 8 (PHF8) has been implicated in tumor development and malignant progression in various types of cancers. However, its potential roles in gastric cancer (GC) have not been explored. In this report, we show that PHF8 expression is upregulated in GC tissues, and the enhanced PHF8 level indicates a poor prognosis of GC patients. PHF8 knockdown reduces proliferation and metastasis of GC cells, while PHF8 overexpression has the opposite effects. Mechanistically, PHF8 interacts with β-catenin, and binds to the promoter region of vimentin, leading to the promotion of vimentin transcription. In addition, we show thatH. pylori, the single most important risk factor for GC, markedly induce PHF8 expression. Our results suggest thatH. pylori-induced PHF8-β-catenin-vimentin axis activation is a novel mechanism for GC malignant progression. Thus, we identify PHF8 as an oncogenic factor of GC, and suggest PHF8 might be a potential molecular target for therapeutic approaches for GC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Shuyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Ao
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiuming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Tongyu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University Jinan 250012, Shandong, PR China.
authors.forename: Jihui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jia
keywords: H. pylori; PHF8; gastric cancer; metastasis; proliferation; vimentin; β-catenin