Homeodomain protein CDX2 regulates COX-2 expression in colorectal cancer

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Feb 27;315(1):93-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.01.020.

Abstract

CDX2 is an intestine-specific tumor suppressor gene encoding homeodomain-containing transcription factor, which is involved in a variety of developmental, proliferating, and differentiating processes. Moreover, the expression of CDX2 is reduced in a subset of primary colorectal cancers. In contrast, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is often up-regulated in human colorectal cancers. However, the molecular relationship between CDX2 down-regulation and COX-2 up-regulation is unknown. Here we show that CDX2 down-regulates COX-2 promoter activity by interacting with NF-kappaB. The ectopic expression of CDX2 was found to suppress PMA-induced COX-2 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment of colorectal cancer cells with PMA resulted in significant reduction in the level of endogenous CDX2 and a significant increase in the level of endogenous COX-2, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, CDX2 was found to co-immunoprecipitate with the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and to inhibit p65-induced NF-kappaB minimal promoter activity in colon cancer cells. These results suggest that reduced CDX2 expression may be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis by enhancing NF-kappaB-mediated inflammatory genes such as COX-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CDX2 Transcription Factor
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / metabolism
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / biosynthesis*
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / biosynthesis*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / genetics
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Trans-Activators / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • eIF-2 Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • CDX2 Transcription Factor
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
  • Interferon Type I
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Trans-Activators
  • interferon kappa
  • Luciferases
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • eIF-2 Kinase
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate