Overexpressed GRP78 affects EMT and cell-matrix adhesion via autocrine TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling

Glucose-regulated protein of 78kD (GRP78) is a multifunctional protein belonging to the heat shock protein 70 family. Overexpression of GRP78 triggered by environmental and physiological stresses is positively correlated with the occurrence and progression of various tumors, but the molecular mechanisms have not been well established. The present study indicated that overexpression of GRP78 in colon cancer cells could promote cell-matrix adhesion through the upregulation of fibronectin, integrin-β1 and phosphorylated FAK. Meanwhile, it resulted in a visible epithelial-mesenchymal transition in DLD1 cells, and the Snail-2 played the key role during the process. More importantly, the data indicated that GRP78 overexpression facilitated the expression and secretion of TGF-β1, which further activated the downstream Smad2/3 signaling module to effectuate the cell-matrix adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Taken together, this study provides a novel molecular mechanism involving in the effects of GRP78 on colon cancer metastasis.