Abstract
Serine threonine kinase 17A (STK17A) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase originally identified as a regulator of apoptosis; however, whether it functionally contributes to colorectal cancer has not been established. Here, we have analyzed STK17A in colorectal cancer and demonstrated decreased expression of STK17A in primary tumors, which is further reduced in metastatic lesions, indicating a potential role in regulating the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, changes in STK17A expression did not modify proliferation, apoptosis, or sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines to treatment with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Instead, STK17A knockdown induced a robust mesenchymal phenotype consistent with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including spindlelike cell morphology, decreased expression of adherens junction proteins, and increased migration and invasion. Additionally, overexpression of STK17A decreased cell size and induced widespread membrane blebbing, a phenotype often associated with activation of cell contractility. Indeed, STK17Aoverexpressing cells displayed heightened phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a manner dependent on STK17A catalytic activity. Finally, patient-derived tumor organoid cultures were used to more accurately determine STK17A's effect in primary human tumor cells. Loss of STK17A induced morphologic changes, decreased E-cadherin, increased invasion, and augmented organoid attachment on 2D substrates, all together suggesting a more metastatic phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate a novel role for STK17A in the regulation of epithelial phenotypes and indicate its functional contribution to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. Implications: Loss of serine threonine kinase 17A occurs in colorectal cancer metastasis, induces mesenchymal morphologies, and contributes to tumor cell invasion and migration in colorectal cancer.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 882-894 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Molecular Cancer Research |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Cite this
Serine threonine kinase 17A maintains the epithelial state in colorectal cancer cells. / Short, Sarah P.; Thompson, Joshua J.; Bilotta, Anthony J.; Chen, Xi; Revetta, Frank L.; Washington, M. Kay; Williams, Christopher S.
In: Molecular Cancer Research, Vol. 17, No. 4, 01.01.2019, p. 882-894.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Serine threonine kinase 17A maintains the epithelial state in colorectal cancer cells
AU - Short, Sarah P.
AU - Thompson, Joshua J.
AU - Bilotta, Anthony J.
AU - Chen, Xi
AU - Revetta, Frank L.
AU - Washington, M. Kay
AU - Williams, Christopher S.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Serine threonine kinase 17A (STK17A) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase originally identified as a regulator of apoptosis; however, whether it functionally contributes to colorectal cancer has not been established. Here, we have analyzed STK17A in colorectal cancer and demonstrated decreased expression of STK17A in primary tumors, which is further reduced in metastatic lesions, indicating a potential role in regulating the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, changes in STK17A expression did not modify proliferation, apoptosis, or sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines to treatment with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Instead, STK17A knockdown induced a robust mesenchymal phenotype consistent with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including spindlelike cell morphology, decreased expression of adherens junction proteins, and increased migration and invasion. Additionally, overexpression of STK17A decreased cell size and induced widespread membrane blebbing, a phenotype often associated with activation of cell contractility. Indeed, STK17Aoverexpressing cells displayed heightened phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a manner dependent on STK17A catalytic activity. Finally, patient-derived tumor organoid cultures were used to more accurately determine STK17A's effect in primary human tumor cells. Loss of STK17A induced morphologic changes, decreased E-cadherin, increased invasion, and augmented organoid attachment on 2D substrates, all together suggesting a more metastatic phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate a novel role for STK17A in the regulation of epithelial phenotypes and indicate its functional contribution to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. Implications: Loss of serine threonine kinase 17A occurs in colorectal cancer metastasis, induces mesenchymal morphologies, and contributes to tumor cell invasion and migration in colorectal cancer.
AB - Serine threonine kinase 17A (STK17A) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase originally identified as a regulator of apoptosis; however, whether it functionally contributes to colorectal cancer has not been established. Here, we have analyzed STK17A in colorectal cancer and demonstrated decreased expression of STK17A in primary tumors, which is further reduced in metastatic lesions, indicating a potential role in regulating the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, changes in STK17A expression did not modify proliferation, apoptosis, or sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines to treatment with the chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Instead, STK17A knockdown induced a robust mesenchymal phenotype consistent with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including spindlelike cell morphology, decreased expression of adherens junction proteins, and increased migration and invasion. Additionally, overexpression of STK17A decreased cell size and induced widespread membrane blebbing, a phenotype often associated with activation of cell contractility. Indeed, STK17Aoverexpressing cells displayed heightened phosphorylation of myosin light chain in a manner dependent on STK17A catalytic activity. Finally, patient-derived tumor organoid cultures were used to more accurately determine STK17A's effect in primary human tumor cells. Loss of STK17A induced morphologic changes, decreased E-cadherin, increased invasion, and augmented organoid attachment on 2D substrates, all together suggesting a more metastatic phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate a novel role for STK17A in the regulation of epithelial phenotypes and indicate its functional contribution to colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis. Implications: Loss of serine threonine kinase 17A occurs in colorectal cancer metastasis, induces mesenchymal morphologies, and contributes to tumor cell invasion and migration in colorectal cancer.
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U2 - 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-18-0990
DO - 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-18-0990
M3 - Article
C2 - 30655319
AN - SCOPUS:85064060407
VL - 17
SP - 882
EP - 894
JO - Molecular Cancer Research
JF - Molecular Cancer Research
SN - 1541-7786
IS - 4
ER -