Hypermethylated KCNQ1 acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Haiyan FanWei Liu

Abstract

Potassium (K+) channels are dysregulated in tumor tissues and functionally these channels contribute significantly to the malignant phenotypes of the cancer cells, including cell apoptosis, chemo- and radio-resistance, proliferation, and migration. However, little is known about the potential implications of K+ channels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the current study was to investigate the expression profile of KCNQ1 in HCC and assess its possible cellular implications as well as mechanism to disease progression. Using real-time qPCR and western blotting technique, we found that KCNQ1 was frequently down-regulated in HCC cell lines and tissues, and HCC patients with lower KCNQ1 expression had a poor prognosis. Specifically, DNA hypermethylation of KCNQ1 promoter resulted in its downregulation in HCC. Bioinformatic analysis indicated a regulatory role of KCNQ1 in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process. Gain-of-function study showed that KCNQ1 exhibited remarkable inhibitory roles on tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KCNQ1 can interact with β-catenin to affect its subcellular distribution and subsequently reduce the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which further blocks the expre...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 1, 2020·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·Chenchen HuangYaoting Gui
Jun 1, 2019·Biomarker Research·Alexandra H BartlettKhyobeni Mozhui
Aug 31, 2019·Cancers·Saranya Chidambaranathan Reghupaty, Devanand Sarkar
Aug 28, 2020·Frontiers in Oncology·Susana Romero-GarciaAngeles Carlos-Reyes
Oct 23, 2019·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Kyle J AndersonPatricia M Scott
Oct 30, 2020·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Raphael Rapetti-MaussOlivier Soriani
Mar 2, 2021·Pathology, Research and Practice·Zhi Xiong ChongWan Yong Ho
May 1, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Silvia MuccioliRoberto Costa

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