Transcriptional factor III A promotes colorectal cancer progression by upregulating cystatin A

Figure 6 Transcriptional factor III A promotes colorectal cancer growth in vivo. A: Short hairpin of transcriptional factor III A (shGTF3A)-HCT116 and short hairpin of scramble (shscramble)-HCT116 cells were subcutaneously injected into the right armpit of nude mice. After 28 d, the mice were euthanized, and the images of the representative nude mice are shown; B: Tumors were stripped from the nude mouse; C: The tumor growth curve of shGTF3A-HCT116 and shscramble-HCT116 cells was calculated by tumor volume; D: The removed tumors of shGTF3A-HCT116 and shscramble-HCT116 cells were weighed; E: Schematic diagram of GTF3A-promoting CRC metastasis. GTF3A bound to the promoter of cystatin A (Csta) gene to increase Csta gene transcription and protein expression, increased CSTA regulated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to promote invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, while knockdown of Gtf3a decreased CSTA expression, inhibited the EMT, and reduced CRC cell invasion and metastasis. ^aP < 0.05. shscramble: Short hairpin scramble; shCSTA: Short hairpin of transcriptional factor III A; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; CRC: Colorectal cancer; CSTA: Cystatin A.