Brg-1 targeting of novel miR550a-5p/RNF43/Wnt signaling axis regulates colorectal cancer metastasis

Oncogene. 2016 Feb 4;35(5):651-61. doi: 10.1038/onc.2015.124. Epub 2015 May 11.

Abstract

Metastasis is one of the main causes of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Brg-1 is a central component of the SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable chromatin-remodeling complex, which features a bromodomain and helicase/ATPase activity. The gene encoding Brg-1 is frequently mutated or silenced in human cancers. Several reports have proposed Brg-1 as a tumor suppressor; however, little is known about its role in oncogenesis and metastasis. Here we demonstrated that decreased Brg-1 regulates a novel miR-550a-5p/RNF43/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, to promote CRC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. In particular, we used high-throughput RNA-sequencing analysis to show that Brg-1 negatively regulates miR-550a-5p in CRC cells. We further found that Brg-1 inhibits the transcriptional activity of miR-550a-5p promoter, and that decreased Brg-1 expression increased miR-550a-5p expression. We also identified ring finger 43 (RNF43), an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as a target of miR-550a-5p. Knockdown of Brg-1 by small interfering RNA led to decreased RNF43 expression, increased Wnt signaling and increased CRC cell migration and invasion. This novel pathway defines a new function for Brg-1 and provides potential targets for the treatment of Brg-1 mutant and loss-of-function tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Heterografts
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • RNF43 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • SMARCA4 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases