Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces
08:50

Stabilizing Hepatocellular Phenotype Using Optimized Synthetic Surfaces

Published on: September 26, 2014

10.7K

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α suppresses the aggravation of colon carcinoma

Hou Shan Yao1, Juan Wang1, Xiao Ping Zhang2

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Chang Zheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Feng Yang Road, Shanghai, China.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|March 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-α (HNF4α) is downregulated in colon cancer, correlating with worse survival. Restoring HNF4α inhibits tumor growth, metastasis, and promotes apoptosis by affecting EMT and cell cycle progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-α (HNF4α) is a nuclear receptor.
  • HNF4α is expressed at lower levels in colon carcinoma tissues.
  • The role of HNF4α in colon cancer progression is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of HNF4α in colon carcinoma progression.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying HNF4α's function in colon cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of HNF4α expression in colon carcinoma specimens.
  • Correlation of HNF4α expression with clinical parameters and patient survival.
  • In vitro studies using colon carcinoma cell lines (HT29, LoVo, SW480) with ectopic HNF4α expression.
  • In vivo studies using xenograft models.
  • Analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin).

Main Results:

  • HNF4α mRNA and protein were significantly downregulated in colon carcinoma tissues.
  • Low HNF4α expression correlated with advanced pT classification, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and clinical stage.
  • Patients with low HNF4α expression had significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
  • Ectopic HNF4α expression inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, induced G2/M phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, and upregulated E-cadherin while downregulating vimentin.
  • HNF4α overexpression suppressed tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo, downregulated snail, slug, and twist, and inhibited EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
  • HNF4α downregulation may be mediated by promoter methylation.

Conclusions:

  • Downregulation of HNF4α plays a critical role in colon carcinoma progression.
  • HNF4α acts as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer.
  • HNF4α inhibits EMT, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression, potentially through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
  • HNF4α may serve as a prognostic biomarker for colon cancer.
Keywords:
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4αcolon carcinomaepithelial-mesenchymal transitionwnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

More Related Videos

In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines08:50

In Vitro Cultivation Techniques for Modeling Liver Organogenesis, Building Assembloids, and Designing Synthetic Tissues using Human Cell Lines

Published on: April 18, 2025

1.1K
A High-Throughput In Situ Method for Estimation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Ploidy in Mice08:44

A High-Throughput In Situ Method for Estimation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Ploidy in Mice

Published on: April 19, 2020

10.5K

Related Concept Videos

Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
9.1K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.4K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
10.4K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

3.1K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.5K
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
10.8K