Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.3K

TSPAN7 Functions as an Antitumor Agent Through the STK11/AMPK/mTOR Axis in Colorectal Cancer

Tao Weng1, Fenfen Hong1

  • 1Gastroenterology Department, Ningbo Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|October 1, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Tetraspanin 7 (TSPAN7) shows antitumor effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) by inhibiting cell migration and proliferation. This protein functions through the STK11/AMPK/mTOR pathway, offering a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Tetraspanin 7 (TSPAN7) is a glycoprotein crucial for cellular processes, including tumor cell growth and metabolism.
  • The specific role of TSPAN7 in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been previously investigated.
  • This study aims to elucidate the potential antitumor functions of TSPAN7 in CRC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antitumor activity of Tetraspanin 7 (TSPAN7) in colorectal cancer (CRC).
  • To explore the involvement of the STK11/AMPK/mTOR pathway in TSPAN7-mediated effects on CRC.
  • To identify TSPAN7 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to analyze differential gene expression in normal colon and CRC tissues.
  • Screened for potential genes, identifying TSPAN7 among ten candidates.
  • Performed in vitro experiments involving TSPAN7 overexpression and downregulation in CRC cell lines.

Main Results:

  • TSPAN7 expression was found to be significantly reduced in CRC tissues and cell lines compared to normal tissues.
  • TSPAN7 demonstrated a negative regulatory effect on the migration and proliferation of CRC cells.
  • TSPAN7 was observed to modulate the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR proteins via the STK11 pathway.

Conclusions:

  • TSPAN7 exhibits significant antitumor effects in colorectal cancer.
  • The STK11/AMPK/mTOR signaling axis is a key pathway through which TSPAN7 exerts its anticancer activity.
  • TSPAN7 represents a promising therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Keywords:
AMPK/mTORSTK11TSPAN7cell proliferationcolorectal cancer (CRC)

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies07:47

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Transmembrane Protein Family-Related Markers in Gastric Cancer and Implications for Targeted Therapies

Published on: September 15, 2023

2.2K
Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

19.1K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.4K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.6K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
12.1K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
7.2K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.6K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.6K