MRTFB suppresses colorectal cancer development through regulating SPDL1 and MCAM.

Myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB) is a candidate tumor-suppressor gene identified in transposon mutagenesis screens of the intestine, liver, and pancreas. Using a combination of cell-based assays, in vivo tumor xenograft assays, and Mrtfb knockout mice, we demonstrate here that MRTFB is a human and mouse colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor suppressor that functions in part by inhibiting cell invasion and migration. To identify possible MRTFB transcriptional targets, we performed whole transcriptome RNA sequencing in MRTFB siRNA knockdown primary human colon cells and identified 15 differentially expressed genes.

ZFR promotes cell proliferation and tumor development in colorectal and liver cancers.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) and liver cancer are the second and fourth leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the whole world, respectively, and each year over 1.6 million people die from these diseases. To identify driver genes in CRC and liver cancer, we have performed Sleeping Beauty transposon mutagenesis screens in mouse models.