The transcriptional modulator ZBED6 regulates cell cycle and growth of human colorectal cancer cells

• The transcription factor ZBED6 is a repressor of IGF2 whose action impacts development, cell proliferation and growth in placental mammals. In human colorectal cancers, IGF2 overexpression is mutually exclusive with somatic mutations in PI3K signaling components, providing genetic evidence for a role in the PI3K pathway. To understand the role of ZBED6 in tumorigenesis, we engineered and validated somatic cell ZBED6 knock-outs in the human colorectal cancer cell lines RKO and HCT116. Transcriptome analyses revealed enrichment of cell cycle-related processes among differentially expressed genes in both cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses displayed enrichment of ZBED6 binding at genes upregulated in ZBED6-/- knockout clones. Ten differentially expressed genes were identified as putative direct gene targets and their downregulation by ZBED6 was experimentally validated. Eight of these genes were linked to the Wnt, Hippo, TGF-b, EGFR or PI3K pathways, all involved in colorectal cancer development. Ablation of ZBED6 affected the cell cycle and led to increased growth rate of ZBED6-/- RKO cells. These observations support a role for transcriptional modulation by ZBED6 in cell cycle regulation and growth of colorectal cancers.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Medicinsk genetik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Medical Genetics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)