ZNF217-activated Notch signaling mediates sulforaphane-suppressed stem cell properties in colorectal cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are known to contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms and key factors involved in CRC is still insufficient to identify therapeutic targets against colorectal CSCs. In an effort to identify such mechanisms, we conducted bioinformatics analyses to evaluate the expression patterns in tumor and normal colorectal tissues, leading us to focus on the role of the ZNF217/Notch1 axis in mediating stem cell properties in CRC.

Regulation of ZO-1 on β-catenin mediates sulforaphane suppressed colorectal cancer stem cell properties in colorectal cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) function as the driving force of cancer initiation and progression. Wnt/β-catenin is the core pluripotency pathway in CSCs, while its crucial regulator has not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we evaluated the role of ZO-1, a component of the tight junction protein complex, in colorectal CSCs, and found ZO-1 downregulation in both colorectal cancer cells and spheres.