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Theranostics 2020; 10(20):9066-9082. doi:10.7150/thno.45349 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Chi Zhang1#, Shi Wei1#, Wei-Peng Sun2#, Kai Teng3, Miao-Miao Dai1, Feng-Wei Wang1, Jie-Wei Chen4, Han Ling1, Xiao-Dan Ma1, Zi-Hao Feng5, Jin-Ling Duan1, Mu-Yan Cai4✉, Dan Xie1,4✉

1. State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, China.
2. Department of Anorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 271000, Jinan, China.
4. Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, China.
5. Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, China.
#These authors contributed equally to this work.

✉ Corresponding author: Dan Xie and Mu-Yan Cai, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, China. Tel: 86-20-87343193; Fax: 86-20-87343170; E-mail: xiedanorg.cn and caimyorg.cn.

Citation:
Zhang C, Wei S, Sun WP, Teng K, Dai MM, Wang FW, Chen JW, Ling H, Ma XD, Feng ZH, Duan JL, Cai MY, Xie D. Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics 2020; 10(20):9066-9082. doi:10.7150/thno.45349. https://www.thno.org/v10p9066.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Background and Aims: Aberrant transcriptional programs are highly regulated processes that play important roles in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Emerging evidence suggests that super-enhancers (SEs) often drive critical oncogene expression. However, SE-associated genes in HCC pathogenesis are still poorly understood.

Methods: We performed integrative ChIP-seq and Hi-C analyses of HCC cells and identified ajuba LIM protein (AJUBA) as a SE-associated gene. We evaluated AJUBA expression in HCC using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were performed to demonstrate that transcription factor 4 (TCF4) bound to AJUBA-associated SEs. We then assessed the role of AJUBA in HCC using both in vitro and in vivo assays. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was examined using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting assays. Furthermore, we used immunoprecipitation and BiFC assays to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results: We identified AJUBA as a SE-associated oncogene in HCC regulated by TCF4. High AJUBA expression was related to an aggressive phenotype and unfavorable outcome in HCC patients. AJUBA knockdown significantly reduced cell migration and invasion capacities both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, AJUBA overexpression in HCC recruited tumor necrosis factor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), enhancing the phosphorylation of Akt and increasing Akt activity toward GSK-3β, thus promoting EMT.

Conclusions: Our results provide functional and mechanistic links between the SE-associated gene AJUBA and tumor EMT in aggressive HCC.

Keywords: super-enhancer, AJUBA, TCF4, EMT, hepatocellular carcinoma

Citation styles

APA
Zhang, C., Wei, S., Sun, W.P., Teng, K., Dai, M.M., Wang, F.W., Chen, J.W., Ling, H., Ma, X.D., Feng, Z.H., Duan, J.L., Cai, M.Y., Xie, D. (2020). Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics, 10(20), 9066-9082. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.45349.

ACS
Zhang, C.; Wei, S.; Sun, W.P.; Teng, K.; Dai, M.M.; Wang, F.W.; Chen, J.W.; Ling, H.; Ma, X.D.; Feng, Z.H.; Duan, J.L.; Cai, M.Y.; Xie, D. Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics 2020, 10 (20), 9066-9082. DOI: 10.7150/thno.45349.

NLM
Zhang C, Wei S, Sun WP, Teng K, Dai MM, Wang FW, Chen JW, Ling H, Ma XD, Feng ZH, Duan JL, Cai MY, Xie D. Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics 2020; 10(20):9066-9082. doi:10.7150/thno.45349. https://www.thno.org/v10p9066.htm

CSE
Zhang C, Wei S, Sun WP, Teng K, Dai MM, Wang FW, Chen JW, Ling H, Ma XD, Feng ZH, Duan JL, Cai MY, Xie D. 2020. Super-enhancer-driven AJUBA is activated by TCF4 and involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Theranostics. 10(20):9066-9082.

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