Ahnak promotes tumor metastasis through transforming growth factor-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT: Previously, we reported a molecular mechanism by which Ahnak potentiates transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling during cell growth. Here, we show that Ahnak induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to TGFβ. EMT phenotypes, including altered in cell morphology, and expression patterns of various EMT marker genes were detected in HaCaT keratinocytes transfected with Ahnak-specific siRNA. Knockdown of Ahnak expression in HaCaT keratinocytes resulted in attenuated cell migration and invasion. We found that Ahnak activates TGFβ signaling via Smad3 phosphorylation, leading to enhanced Smad3 transcriptional activity. To validate function of Ahnak in EMT of B16F10 cells having high metastatic and tumorigenic properties, we established B16F10 cells with stable knockdown of

SUBMITTER: Sohn M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6158194 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature