ASTN1 is associated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma, and inhibits the migratory and invasive capacity of liver cancer via the Wnt/ β‑catenin signaling pathway.

ASTN1 is associated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma, and inhibits the migratory and invasive capacity of liver cancer via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Oncol Rep. 2020 Jul 24;: Authors: Chen QF, Shi F, Huang T, Huang C, Shen L, Wu P, Li W Abstract Astrotactin 1 (ASTN1) is known to serve a physiological role in neuronal migration; however its role in liver cancer remains to be determined. In the present study, ASTN1 levels were lower in liver cancer tissues compared with those in matching normal tissue. ASTN1 levels were negatively associated with microscopic vascular invasion, advanced clinical stage and a less favorable prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, ASTN1 overexpression in a liver cancer cell line reduced the migratory and invasive capacity of the cells. Based on bioinformatics analysis, ASTN1 levels were negatively associated with the Wnt signaling pathway. In addition, ASTN1 downregulated the protein expression levels of β‑catenin, T‑cell factor (TCF)1, TCF4, Jun proto‑oncogene (C‑jun), Myc proto‑oncogene (C‑myc), cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX2), metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels, indicative of suppression of Wnt signaling. Furthermore, XAV939‑induced Wnt signaling suppression reversed the ASTN1‑mediated inhibition of invasion and migration in cells. Overexpression of ASTN1 in xenografts r...
Source: Oncology Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncol Rep Source Type: research