ELF4 contributes to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth and metastasis by augmenting cancer stemness via FUT9

Xu Aiping; Sun Mingchuang; Li Zhaoxing; Chu Yuan; Fang Kang; Zhang Yunwei; Lian Jingjing; Zhang Li; Chen Tao; Xu Meidong

doi:10.3724/abbs.2023225

Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica (Sep 2023)

ELF4 contributes to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth and metastasis by augmenting cancer stemness via FUT9

Xu Aiping,
Sun Mingchuang,
Li Zhaoxing,
Chu Yuan,
Fang Kang,
Zhang Yunwei,
Lian Jingjing,
Zhang Li,
Chen Tao,
Xu Meidong

Affiliations

Xu Aiping: ["Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China","Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China","Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jing’an District Centre Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 20032, China"]
Sun Mingchuang: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Li Zhaoxing: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Chu Yuan: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Fang Kang: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Zhang Yunwei: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Lian Jingjing: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Zhang Li: ["Department of Pathology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Chen Tao: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]
Xu Meidong: ["Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China"]

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/abbs.2023225
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 56
pp. 129 – 139

Abstract

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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) commonly has aggressive properties and a poor prognosis. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of ESCC is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Here, by performing transcriptome sequencing in ESCC and adjacent normal tissues, we find that E74-like transcription factor 4 (ELF4) is the main upregulated transcription factor in ESCC. The results of the immunohistochemistry show that ELF4 is overexpressed in ESCC tissues and is significantly correlated with cancer staging and prognosis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ELF4 could promote cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness by in vivo assays. Through RNA-seq and ChIP assays, we find that the stemness-related gene fucosyltransferase 9 (FUT9) is transcriptionally activated by ELF4. Meanwhile, ELF4 is verified to affect ESCC cancer stemness by regulating FUT9 expression. Overall, we first discover that the transcription factor ELF4 is overexpressed in ESCC and can promote ESCC progression by transcriptionally upregulating the stemness-related gene FUT9.

Published in Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica

ISSN: 1672-9145 (Print); 1745-7270 (Online)
Publisher: China Science Publishing & Media Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry: Biochemistry; Science: Biology (General): Genetics
Website: https://www.sciengine.com/ABBS/home

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