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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Silencing ACTG1 Expression Induces Prostate Cancer Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition Through MAPK/ERK Signaling
Longfei Xiao1, Huahong Peng2, Mo Yan3
1Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangyang NO.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China.
Abstract:
Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has become a major obstacle in the treatment of PCa. The study's purpose is to find biomarkers of tumor metastasis by proteomics and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to design related experiments to study its role in the progress and metastasis of PCa. We analyzed serum from primary PCa stage and metastatic stage of 12 patients to find metastatic PCa serum protein biomarkers using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). An effective diagnostic model based on validated biomarkers using logistic regression was established. In vivo and in vitro biological behavior experiments (wound healing, CCK8, and Transwell tests) were carried out after obtaining the biomarkers. Related mechanism has been studied, which may be associated with metastatic PCa. Actin gamma 1 (ACTG1) is a potential biomarker in the metastasis of PCa. Bioinformatics and related experiments show that ACTG1 is high-expressed in PCa tissues and cells. In vivo and in vitro experiments illustrated that the ability of proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa cells was significantly inhibited after the knockdown of ACTG1 expression. Surprisingly, ERK protein expression was downregulated after ACTG1 knockdown. At the same time, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related markers in PCa cells decrease after treated with ERK1/2 inhibitor, which indicating that ACTG1 may affect the metastatic ability of PCa cells through MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. ACTG1 is a marker of metastasis PCa. It mediates cell proliferation and may regulate the metastasis of PCa through MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, which provides a useful theoretical basis for exploring the treatment of PCa.
Insights
Actin gamma 1 (ACTG1) is a novel biomarker for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Targeting ACTG1 inhibits PCa cell proliferation and metastasis, potentially via the MAPK/ERK pathway.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) presents significant treatment challenges.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for PCa metastasis is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify serum protein biomarkers for prostate cancer metastasis using proteomics.
- To investigate the role of identified biomarkers in PCa progression and metastasis.
- To establish a diagnostic model for metastatic PCa.
Main Methods:
- Serum proteomic analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) in primary and metastatic PCa patients.
- Logistic regression for diagnostic model development.
- In vitro (wound healing, CCK8, Transwell) and in vivo experiments to assess biomarker function.
- Bioinformatic analysis and Western blotting to study molecular mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Actin gamma 1 (ACTG1) identified as a potential biomarker for PCa metastasis.
- ACTG1 is upregulated in PCa tissues and cells.
- ACTG1 knockdown significantly inhibited PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- ACTG1 knockdown led to downregulation of ERK protein and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, suggesting involvement of the MAPK/ERK pathway.
Conclusions:
- ACTG1 is a promising biomarker for prostate cancer metastasis.
- ACTG1 promotes PCa cell proliferation and metastasis, potentially through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
- Findings provide a theoretical basis for developing novel PCa treatment strategies targeting ACTG1.
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