The metastasis-associated gene MTA3, a component of the Mi-2/NuRD transcriptional repression complex, predicts prognosis of gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

PLoS One. 2013 May 3;8(5):e62986. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062986. Print 2013.

Abstract

Gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma carries a poor prognosis that is largely attributable to early and frequent metastasis. The acquisition of metastatic potential in cancer involves epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The metastasis-associated gene MTA3, a novel component of the Mi-2/NuRD transcriptional repression complex, was identified as master regulator of EMT through inhibition of Snail to increase E-cadherin expression in breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the expression pattern of the components of MTA3 pathway and the corresponding prognostic significance in GEJ adenocarcinoma. MTA3 expression was decreased at both protein and mRNA levels in tumor tissues compared to the non-tumorous and lowed MTA3 levels were noted in tumor cell lines with stronger metastatic potential. Immunohistochemical analysis of a cohort of 128 cases exhibited that patients with lower expression of MTA3 had poorer outcomes. Combined misexpression of MTA3, Snail and E-cadherin had stronger correlation with malignant properties. Collectively, results suggest that the MTA3-regulated EMT pathway is altered to favor EMT and, therefore, disease progression and that MTA3 expression was an independent prognostic factor in patients with GEJ adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Esophagogastric Junction / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Stomach Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / mortality
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • MTA3 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors