Bromodomain-containing protein 9 activates proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer via the estrogen pathway in vivo and in vitro

• Published in: Journal of gastrointestinal oncology 2023-04, Vol.14 (2), p.980-996
• Main Authors: Chen, Peng, Du, Rongrong, Chang, Zhengyao, Gao, Wenxing, Zhao, Wen, Dong, Guanglong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2078-6891; 2219-679X
• DOI: 10.21037/jgo-23-271

Bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9) has been reported to be upregulated in multiple malignancies and facilitate cancer progression. However, there is a paucity of data relating to its expression and biological role in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, this current study examined the prognostic role of BRD9 in CRC and the underlying mechanisms involved. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of BRD9 in paired fresh CRC and para-tumor tissues from colectomy patients (n=31). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess BRD9 expression in 524 paraffin-embedded archived CRC samples. The clinical variables are including age, sex, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), location of tumor, T stage, N stage, and TNM classification. The effect of BRD9 on the prognosis of CRC patients was explored by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), clone formation assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to determine CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Xenograft models in nude mice were established to investigate the role of the BRD9 . BRD9 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly upregulated in CRC cells compared to normal colorectal epithelial cells (P