2. Academic Validation
  3. SLC14A1 and TGF-β signaling: a feedback loop driving EMT and colorectal cancer metachronous liver metastasis

SLC14A1 and TGF-β signaling: a feedback loop driving EMT and colorectal cancer metachronous liver metastasis

  • J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Jul 27;43(1):208. doi: 10.1186/s13046-024-03114-8.
Yixun Zhang # 1,  Yumeng Yang # 2 3,  Xuan Qi # 2 3,  Peng Cui 4,  Yi Kang 5,  Haiyi Liu 1,  Zhigang Wei 6,  Haibo Wang 7 8 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China.
  • 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Beijing, 100069, China.
  • 3 Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China.
  • 4 Department of General Surgery, State Key Lab of Digestive Health, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
  • 5 Department of Gastroenterology, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China.
  • 6 Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 85 Jiefang Nan Lu, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China. wzgsyyy@163.com.
  • 7 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Beijing, 100069, China. haiba-110@ccmu.edu.cn.
  • 8 Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China. haiba-110@ccmu.edu.cn.
  • 9 Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, Capital Medical University, No.10 Xitoutiao, You An Men Wai, Beijing, China. haiba-110@ccmu.edu.cn.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 39061061 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03114-8
Abstract

Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) metachronous liver metastasis is a significant clinical challenge, largely attributable to the late detection and the intricate molecular mechanisms that remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the role of Solute Carrier Family 14 Member 1 (SLC14A1) in the pathogenesis and progression of CRC metachronous liver metastasis.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of CRC patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GSE40967 databases, focusing on the differential expression of genes associated with non-metachronous liver metastasis and metachronous liver metastasis. Functional assays, both in vitro and in vivo, were performed to assess the biological impact of SLC14A1 modulation in CRC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis, molecular assays and immunohistochemical analyses on clinical specimens were employed to unravel the underlying mechanisms through which SLC14A1 exerts its effects.

Results: SLC14A1 was identified as a differentially expressed gene, with its overexpression significantly correlating with poor relapse-free and overall survival. Mechanistically, elevated SLC14A1 levels enhanced CRC cell invasiveness and migratory abilities, corroborated by upregulated TGF-β/Smad signaling and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. SLC14A1 interacted with TβRII and stabilized TβRII protein, impeding its Smurf1-mediated K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation, amplifying TGF-β/Smad signaling. Furthermore, TGF-β1 reciprocally elevated SLC14A1 mRNA expression, with Snail identified as a transcriptional regulator, binding downstream of SLC14A1's transcription start site, establishing a positive feedback loop. Clinically, SLC14A1, phosphorylated SMAD2, and Snail were markedly upregulated in CRC patients with metachronous liver metastasis, underscoring their potential as prognostic markers.

Conclusions: Our findings unveil SLC14A1 as a critical regulator in CRC metachronous liver metastasis, providing novel insights into the molecular crosstalk between SLC14A1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling. These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of CRC metachronous liver metastasis pathogenesis, but also highlight SLC14A1 as a promising target for therapeutic intervention and predictive marker.

Keywords

Colorectal cancer; Metachronous liver metastasis; SLC14A1; TGF-β/Smad signaling.

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