MT1G Regulates c-MYC/P53 Signal to Inhibit Proliferation, Invasion and Migration and Promote Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells.

Introduction: Colon cancer is a common and malignant cancer featuring high morbidity and poor prognosis.

Aims: This study was performed to explore the regulatory role of MT1G in colon cancer as well as its unconcealed molecular mechanism.

Methods: The expressions of MT1G, c-MYC, and p53 were assessed with the application of RT-qPCR and western blot. The impacts of MT1G overexpression on the proliferative ability of HCT116 and LoVo cells were measured by CCK-8 and BrdU incorporation assays. Additionally, transwell wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were employed to evaluate the invasive and migrative capacities as well as the apoptosis level of HCT116 and LoVo cells. Moreover, the activity of the P53 promoter region was assessed with the help of a luciferase reporter assay.

Results: It was found that the expressions of MT1G at both mRNA and protein levels were greatly decreased in human colon cancer cell lines, particularly in HCT116 and LoVo cell lines. After transfection, it was discovered that the MT1G overexpression suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion but promoted the apoptosis of HCT116 and LoVo cells, which were then partially reversed after overexpressing c-MYC. Additionally, MT1G overexpression reduced c-MYC expression but enhanced the p53 expression, revealing that the MT1G overexpression could regulate c-MYC/P53 signal. Elsewhere, it was also shown that c-MYC overexpression suppressed the regulatory effects of MT1G on P53.

Conclusion: To conclude, MT1G was verified to regulate c-MYC/P53 signal to repress the proliferation, migration and invasion but promote the apoptosis of colon cancer cells, which might offer a novel targeted-therapy for the improvement of colon cancer.