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CDCA4 suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transtion (EMT) and metastasis in Non-small cell lung cancer through

Chenxin Xu¹, Haixia Cao², Ying Sui¹

¹The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, No.42, Baiziting Street, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China.

Cancer Cell International

|January 13, 2021

Abstract

Background:

Cell division cycle associated 4 (CDCA4) has been reported to be engaged into the progression of several cancers. The function of CDCA4 in Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was unknown. We aimed to explore the critical role of CDCA4 in NSCLC.

Methods:

CDCA4 stably knocking down and overexpression cell lines were established and Western blotting assay was applied to measure relevant protein expression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transtion (EMT) and cell autophagy. Staining of acidic vacuoles, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining were employed to detect autophagy. The ability of cells to migrate and invade were detected by Transwell migration and invasion assays. The interaction of CDCA4 with CARM1 was identified by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analysis.

Results:

In the present study, it was found that inhibition of CDCA4 induced EMT, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells while inhibiting autophagy of NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of CDCA4 in NSCLC cells showed the opposite function. More importantly, the inhibition of autophagy could promote the EMT, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, which should be impaired via the activation of autophagy. In addition, CDCA4-inhibited EMT, migration and invasion could be partially aggravated by autophagy activator, rapamycin, and reversed by autophagy inhibitor, 3-MA. Correspondingly, the application of rapamycin or 3-MA to CDCA4 knockdown cells showed the opposite effects. Further investigation suggested that CDCA4 could interact with coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1). Autophagy was induced while cell migration and invasion were inhibited in CARM1 knockdown cells. CDCA4 could suppress the protein expression CARM1 and knocking down of CARM1 could alter cell autophagy, migratory and invasive abilities regulated by CDCA4.

Conclusion:

All data indicated that CDCA4 inhibited the EMT, migration and invasion of NSCLC via interacting with CARM1 to modulate autophagy.

Insights

Cell division cycle associated 4 (CDCA4) inhibits non-small cell lung cancer progression by interacting with CARM1 to regulate autophagy, suppressing cell migration and invasion.

Area of Science:

Oncology
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

Cell division cycle associated 4 (CDCA4) role in cancer progression is established.
CDCA4's function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remained uncharacterized.
This study investigated CDCA4's critical role in NSCLC.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the function of CDCA4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying CDCA4's effects on NSCLC progression.
To explore the relationship between CDCA4, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), autophagy, and cell motility.

Main Methods:

Established CDCA4 knockdown and overexpression NSCLC cell lines.
Assessed Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), autophagy markers, and cell motility (migration/invasion).
Investigated the interaction between CDCA4 and coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) using immunoprecipitation and Western blotting.

Main Results:

CDCA4 inhibition promoted EMT, migration, and invasion while suppressing autophagy in NSCLC cells.
CDCA4 overexpression demonstrated opposite effects, inhibiting EMT, migration, and invasion.
CDCA4 interacts with CARM1, suppressing its protein expression and modulating autophagy, migration, and invasion.

Conclusions:

CDCA4 inhibits NSCLC cell EMT, migration, and invasion.
This inhibition is mediated through interaction with CARM1, modulating autophagy.
CDCA4 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by regulating these pathways.

Read full analysis

Keywords:

Autophagy CARM1 CDCA4 EMT Migration and invasion Non-small cell lung cancer

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