Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer
06:01

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: July 6, 2017

The role of ERK2 in colorectal carcinogenesis is partly regulated by TRAPPC4

Yu-Rong Weng1, Xuan Kong, Ya-Nan Yu

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory of Oncogene and Related Genes, Shanghai, China.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|April 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Transport protein particle complex 4 (TRAPPC4) regulates colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation by modulating the ERK2 pathway. TRAPPC4 influences cell cycle progression and tumor growth, highlighting its role in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is crucial for cell proliferation.
  • Previous work suggested TRAPPC4-ERK2 interaction activates ERK1/2 and influences colorectal cancer (CRC) cell behavior.
  • Further investigation into TRAPPC4-ERK2 function in CRC is warranted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TRAPPC4-ERK2 interaction in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
  • To elucidate how TRAPPC4 modulates ERK2 activation, localization, and downstream effects on cell cycle and viability in CRC.

Main Methods:

  • TRAPPC4 gene silencing and overexpression in CRC cells.
  • Cell cycle analysis (G0/G1, G2/M, S phases) and viability assays.
  • Immunohistochemistry for pERK2, Western blotting for p21 and cyclin B1.
  • In vivo xenograft studies in mice.

Main Results:

  • TRAPPC4 modulation affected cell cycle distribution (G0/G1 arrest or progression) and CRC cell viability.
  • TRAPPC4 influenced pERK2 levels and nuclear translocation, particularly upon EGF stimulation.
  • TRAPPC4 knockdown reduced tumor growth in vivo, while overexpression increased it.
  • TRAPPC4 expression levels correlated with pERK2 and p21 expression in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • TRAPPC4 is a key regulator of ERK2 activation and its subcellular distribution in CRC cells.
  • TRAPPC4 plays a significant role in colorectal carcinogenesis by influencing the ERK2 pathway.
  • Targeting TRAPPC4 may offer a therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.
Keywords:
cancercell cyclecell proliferation

More Related Videos

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Active ERK in the C. elegans Germline08:40

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Active ERK in the C. elegans Germline

Published on: November 29, 2016

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells08:54

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells

Published on: July 20, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.