SATB1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in prostate cancer

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1 (SATB1) is associated with cancer progression and poor clinical outcome. The present study aims to evaluate whether SATB1 affects the biological behaviors of prostate cancer (PCa), and furthermore, to elucidate whether this effect works through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Firstly, the expression of SATB1 was investigated in a series of PCa tissues as well as in a panel of PCa cell lines. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated in SATB1 knockdown and overexpressed PCa cell lines by MTT and Transwell assays. The results showed that the expression of SATB1 was markedly upregulated in PCa tissues and all PCa cell lines (P<0.001). Ectopic expression of SATB1 promoted PCa cell proliferation and migration. Knockdown of SATB1 repressed the ability of cell proliferation and migration of PCa cells. In addition, inhibition of SATB1 could reverse the EMT processes through upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin. The present study provided evidence that SATB1 may act as a potential therapeutic target in PCa patients.