OncoTargets and Therapy (Dec 2019)

MTF2 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Transcriptionally Activating Snail

  • Wu TT,
  • Cai J,
  • Tian YH,
  • Chen JF,
  • Cheng ZL,
  • Pu CS,
  • Shi WZ,
  • Suo XP,
  • Wu XJ,
  • Dou XW,
  • Zhang KM

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 11207 – 11220

Abstract

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Tian-Tian Wu,* Jun Cai,* Yuan-Hu Tian, Jian-Fei Chen, Zhi-Lei Cheng, Chang-Sheng Pu, Wen-Zai Shi, Xiao-Peng Suo, Xian-Jia Wu, Xiao-Wei Dou, Ke-Ming Zhang Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing 102206, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ke-Ming ZhangDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University International Hospital, No 1 Shengmingyuan Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Changping District, Beijing 102206, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: Metal regulatory transcription factor 2 (MTF2) has been previously reported as a protein binding to the metal response element of the mouse metallothionein promoter, which is involved in chromosome inactivation and pluripotency. However, the function of MTF2 in tumor formation and progression has not yet been completely elucidated.Methods: The expression of MTF2 and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue microarray of 240 specimens. The role of MTF2 on HCC progression was determined using MTT, crystal violet, and transwell assays. Tumor growth was monitored in a xenograft model, and intrahepatic metastasis models were established.Results: The expression of MTF2 was increased in HCC and strongly associated with the clinical characteristics and prognosis. Forced expression of MTF2 in HCC cells significantly promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. In contrast, downregulation of MTF2 inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. Moreover, knock down of MTF2 suppressed tumorigenesis and intrahepatic metastasis of HCC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, MTF2 overexpression may promote growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes of HCC cells by facilitating Snail transcription.Conclusion: MTF2 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells by regulating Snail transcription, providing a potential therapeutic candidate for patients with HCC.Keywords: MTF2, progression, hepatocellular carcinoma, EMT, Snail  

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