TAB3 upregulates PIM1 expression by directly activating the TAK1-STAT3 complex to promote colorectal cancer growth

Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-binding protein 3 (TAB3) and the proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukaemia virus 1 (PIM1) are implicated in cancer development. In this study, we investigated the relationship between TAB3 and PIM1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and determined the potential role and molecular mechanism of TAB3 in PIM1-mediated CRC growth. We found that TAB3 and PIM1 expression levels were positively correlated in CRC tissues. The knockdown of TAB3 significantly decreased PIM1 expression and inhibited CRC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The upregulation of PIM1 rescued the decreased cell proliferation induced by TAB3 knockdown, whereas PIM1 knockdown decreased TAB3-enhanced CRC proliferation. Additionally, TAB3 regulates PIM1 expression through the STAT3 signalling pathway and confirmed a positive correlation between TAB3 and phosphorylated-STAT3 expression in CRC tissues. Patients with high expression of TAB3 and phosphorylated-STAT3 had the worst prognosis. Mechanistically, TAB3 regulates PIM1 expression by promoting STAT3 phosphorylation and activation through the formation of the TAB3-TAK1-STAT3 complex. Overall, a novel CRC regulatory circuit involving the TAB3-TAK1-STAT3 complex and PIM1 was identified, the dysfunction of which may contribute to CRC tumorigenesis.