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Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and invasion

Wenming Wu1, Qiao Wu1, Xiafei Hong1

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Archives of Medical Research
|December 24, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Overexpressing COMT inhibits cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and reduces tumor growth in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is implicated in various cancers.
  • Its specific role in colorectal cancer (CRC) requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological function of COMT in colorectal cancer.
  • To determine COMT's effect on CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor formation.

Main Methods:

  • Transient transfection of CRC cell lines to modulate COMT expression in vitro.
  • In vitro assays assessing cell proliferation and invasion.
  • Stable CRC cell line construction for in vivo mouse xenograft models to evaluate tumor-forming capacity.

Main Results:

  • In vitro: COMT suppressed proliferation by regulating p-Akt, PTEN; inhibited G1-S phase transition via p53, p27, cyclinD1; and reduced invasion by modulating E-cadherin.
  • In vivo: COMT overexpression led to decreased tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model.

Conclusions:

  • COMT exhibits tumor-suppressive functions in colorectal cancer.
  • These findings were consistent in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
Keywords:
COMTCatechol-O-MethyltransferaseColorectal cancerXenograft model

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