title: CUTL1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: The homeobox transcription factor CUTL1 has been associated with cellular proliferation and cell cycle progression, and CUTL1 functions as an oncogene. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether CUTL1 participates in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The expression levels of CUTL1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Snail were determined by immunohistochemistry assay, immunofluorescence assay or real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Their roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were assessed by functional analyses. Protein expression was detected by western blot analysis. The CUTL1 expression levels are higher in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues. High CUTL1 expression in NSCLC is associated with the mesenchymal-like phenotype. Mechanistically, CUTL1 upregulates transforming growth factor β receptor I (TβR-I) expression, and the TβR-I inhibitor SB431542 abolishes EMT elicited by ectopic CUTL1 expression. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is essential for CUTL1-induced EMT in NSCLC cells. CUTL1 is downstream of TGF-β signaling and CUTL1 is involved in the expression of the TβR-I. This study indicates that CUTL1 may be a potential target for anti-lung cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Junfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yanbo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Fenghai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Sainan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Shidong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C080632:CUX1 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta