SLUG is required for SOX9 stabilization and functions to promote cancer stem cells and metastasis in human lung carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a promising target for cancer therapy, particularly for metastatic lung cancers, but how CSCs are regulated is largely unknown. We identify two proteins, SLUG (encoded by SNAI2 gene) and SOX9, which are associated with advanced stage lung cancers and are implicated in the regulation of CSCs. Inhibition of either SLUG or SOX9 sufficiently inhibits CSCs in human lung cancer cells and attenuates experimental lung metastasis in a xenograft mouse model. Correlation between SLUG and SOX9 levels was observed remarkably, we therefore sought to explore their mechanistic relationship and regulation. SLUG, beyond its known function as an epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor, was found to regulate SOX9 by controlling its stability via a post-translational

SUBMITTER: Luanpitpong S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4801727 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature