OncoTargets and Therapy (Mar 2020)
HOXD9 Activates the TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway to Promote Gastric Cancer
Abstract
Rui Xiong, 1 Tao Yin, 2, 3 Jian-long Gao, 2, 3 Yu-feng Yuan 1 1Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Seventh Clinical Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yu-feng YuanZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 of Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common malignant tumor of the digestive tract and its molecular mechanism is not clear. HOXD9 plays an important role in tumor progression as transcription factor. In the current study, we explored the role of HOXD9 in GC.Methods: We predicted the expression and potential mechanism of HOXD9 in GC through an online database. The expression of HOXD9 was detected in GC and adjacent tissues, and then we analyzed the relationship between HOXD9 and the prognosis of patients with GC. In vitro, we investigated the effects of HOXD9 on malignant biological behaviors such as proliferation, migration, and invasion of the GC cell line MCG-803. In addition, we have initially studied the underlying mechanism by Western blot.Results: High expression of HOXD9 in GC was predicted by online database prediction and implied poor prognosis. In the clinical sample, we confirmed the above predictions. In vitro, we found that knockdown of HOXD9 could effectively inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. In terms of mechanism, HOXD9 may activate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.Conclusion: HOXD9 promotes the malignant biological process of GC, which may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.Keywords: HOXD9, gastric cancer, prognosis, TGF-β/Smad pathway
