Paired related homeobox 1 is associated with the invasive properties of glioblastoma cells

Oncol Rep. 2015 Mar;33(3):1123-30. doi: 10.3892/or.2014.3681. Epub 2014 Dec 18.

Abstract

Glioblastoma is a highly proliferative and invasive tumor. Despite extensive efforts to develop treatments for glioblastoma, the currently available therapies have only limited effects. To develop novel strategies for glioblastoma treatment, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that promote the invasive properties of glioblastoma. In the present study, we showed that the paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) is associated with glioblastoma cell invasion. The depletion of PRRX1 suppressed the invasion and neurosphere formation of glioblastoma cells. Conversely, the exogenous expression of PRRX1 promoted invasion. The Notch signaling pathway, which is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that is essential for developmental processes, plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of glioblastoma. The expression of PRRX1 induced the activation of Notch signaling, and the inhibition of Notch signaling suppressed PRRX1-mediated cell invasion. Our results indicate that activation of Notch signaling by PRRX1 is associated with the promotion of glioblastoma cell invasion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Heterografts
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • PRRX1 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Notch