C-terminal Tensin-like (CTEN) is an oncogene which alters cell motility possibly through repression of E-cadherin in colorectal cancer

Albasri, Abdulkader; Seth, Rashmi; Jackson, Darryl; Benhasouna, Ahmed; Crook, Simon; Nateri, Abdolrahman S.; Chapman, Roger; Ilyas, Mohammad

Abstract

The Tensin gene family encodes proteins thought to modulate integrin function. C-terminal Tensin-like (CTEN) is a member of the Tensin gene family which lacks the N-terminus actin-binding domain. Cten is reported to have both oncogenic and tumour-suppressor functions. We investigated the role that Cten may play in colorectal cancer (CRC). By quantitative RT–PCR CTEN is up-regulated (i.e. > two-fold increase) in 62% of cell lines and 69% of tumours compared with normal mucosa, consistent with CTEN being a possible oncogene. Stable transfection of HCT116 and SW480 (CRC cell lines with low endogenous Cten expression) with a Cten expression vector gave identical results in both cell lines. Forced Cten expression did not cause change in cell numbers, although it did confer resistance to staurosporine-induced apoptosis (p < 0.005). Cten also induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumour cells accompanied by a significant increase in both cell migration (transwell migration and cell wounding assays, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and cell invasion (invasion through Matrigel, p < 0.001). Given the observed EMT, we investigated the levels of E-cadherin. Cten induction was associated with a reduction in E-cadherin protein expression but not levels of E-cadherin mRNA. These data suggest that CTEN is an oncogene in CRC which stimulates EMT, cell migration and invasion and may therefore have a role in tumour invasion/spread. Furthermore, Cten induction is associated with post-transcriptional repression of E-cadherin.

Citation

Albasri, A., Seth, R., Jackson, D., Benhasouna, A., Crook, S., Nateri, A. S., Chapman, R., & Ilyas, M. (2009). C-terminal Tensin-like (CTEN) is an oncogene which alters cell motility possibly through repression of E-cadherin in colorectal cancer. The Journal of Pathology, 218(1), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2508

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2008
• Online Publication Date: Dec 19, 2008
• Publication Date: May 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Pathology
• Print ISSN: 0022-3417
• Electronic ISSN: 1096-9896
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 218
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 57-65
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2508
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/39458068
• Publisher URL: https://pathsocjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/path.2508