Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Antibody-Based Cancer Treatments via Antibody-Dependent, Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Assay
05:21

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Antibody-Based Cancer Treatments via Antibody-Dependent, Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Assay

Published on: September 13, 2024

907

CDCA3 mediates p21-dependent proliferation by regulating E2F1 expression in colorectal cancer

Wenwei Qian1, Zhiyuan Zhang1, Wen Peng1

  • 1The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China.

International Journal of Oncology
|September 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cell division cycle-associated 3 (CDCA3) drives colorectal cancer (CRC) progression by promoting cell cycle G1/S transition. CDCA3 overexpression correlates with poor CRC survival, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dysregulated cell cycle progression is fundamental to cancer development.
  • Cell division cycle-associated 3 (CDCA3) is a key regulator of mitotic entry and part of ubiquitin ligase complexes.
  • The specific role of CDCA3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological and clinical significance of CDCA3 in the growth and progression of colorectal cancer.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which CDCA3 influences CRC cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CDCA3 expression in relation to tumor progression and patient survival.
  • In vitro and in vivo experiments involving CDCA3 overexpression (LoVo cells) and knockdown (SW480 cells).
  • Cell cycle analysis (G1/S transition) and assessment of key regulatory proteins (p21, E2F1).

Main Results:

  • CDCA3 expression levels were significantly associated with colorectal cancer progression and poorer patient survival.
  • CDCA3 overexpression enhanced proliferation in LoVo CRC cells, while knockdown reduced proliferation in SW480 CRC cells (in vitro and in vivo).
  • CDCA3 modulated G1/S phase transition by regulating p21 accumulation, partly through the E2F1 transcription factor.

Conclusions:

  • Overexpression of CDCA3 contributes to the malignant potential of colorectal cancer.
  • CDCA3 plays a significant role in regulating cell cycle progression in CRC.
  • CDCA3 represents a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

More Related Videos

Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer08:43

Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer

Published on: December 4, 2007

47.2K
A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer06:01

A Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Sporadic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: July 6, 2017

10.0K

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
26.4K
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

4.0K
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the...
1.4K
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
38.5K
Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression01:27

Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression

Gene expression in prokaryotes is governed by constitutive and regulated systems, allowing cells to balance the production of essential proteins with adaptive responses to environmental changes.Constitutive Gene ExpressionConstitutive, or housekeeping, genes are continuously expressed as they encode proteins vital for fundamental cellular processes. These include enzymes for glycolysis, ribosomal components for protein synthesis, and proteins involved in DNA replication. Their constant...
1.2K
Regulated Protein Degradation02:58

Regulated Protein Degradation

It is vital to regulate the activity of enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic proteins inside the cell. This can be achieved either through creating a balance between their rate of synthesis and degradation or regulating the intrinsic activity of the protein. Both these regulation mechanisms play an essential role in the normal functioning of cells.
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...
8.9K