Expression of gamma-synuclein in colorectal cancer tissues and its role on colorectal cancer cell line HCT116

World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Oct 28;15(40):5035-43. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5035.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the expression pattern of gamma-synuclein in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, and to study the effects of gamma-synuclein on CRC cell line HCT116 biological features in vitro.

Methods: The expression pattern of gamma-synuclein was determined in 54 CRC tissues and 30 tumor-matched nonneoplastic adjacent tissues (NNAT) 5 cm away from the tumor via real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The relationship between gamma-synuclein protein expression and clinicopathological factors of CRC tissues was analyzed. Three small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting gamma-synuclein mRNA plasmids were constructed and transfected into the CRC cell line HCT116. The stable cell lines were selected with G-418 for 28 d, and the biological features of these cells were examined by cell growth curve, soft agar assay, and cell migration and invasion assays in vitro.

Results: The expression of gamma-synuclein mRNA and protein was much higher in CRC tissue samples than in NNAT samples (P = 0.02, P = 0.036). There was a significant correlation between the gamma-synuclein protein expression and clinical stage and lymph node involvement of CRC (P = 0.02, P = 0.033). In functional analysis we found that down-regulation of gamma-synuclein expression in HCT116 cells could inhibit the growth, colony formation rate, and migration and invasion ability of HCT116 cells.

Conclusion: Increased expression of gamma-synuclein in CRC tissues and the biological effects of reduced gamma-synuclein expression on HCT116 cells suggest that gamma-synuclein may play a positive role in the progression of CRC.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Time Factors
  • gamma-Synuclein / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • gamma-Synuclein