XB130 enhances invasion and migration of human colorectal cancer cells by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition

The expression of XB130 is associated with invasion and migration of many tumor cells, but its roles in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. To investigate this, protein expression levels of XB130 in numerous human CRC cell lines were compared with a normal colorectal mucosa cell line by western blotting. Knockdown of XB130 using small interfering (si) RNA was performed to assess the effects on cell invasion and migration in a Transwell assay and a scratch test. Western blotting was also used to quantify the levels of proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including E-cadherin, vimentin, phosphorylated (p)-protein kinase B (AKT), p-forkhead homeobox type O 3a (FOXO3a) and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB-1). The relative expression of XB130 protein was significantly higher in CRC cells compared with control cells (P<0.01). Knockdown of XB130 using siRNA significantly decreased the invasive and migratory responses of CRC cells (P<0.01). In addition, levels of E-cadherin were increased, while vimentin, p-AKT, p-FOXO3a and ZEB-1 were decreased (P<0.01). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the expression of XB130 is elevated in CRC cells. Loss of XB130 was associated with decreased invasion and migration of CRC cells, possibly as a result of EMT inhibition. Thus, upregulation of XB130 may underlie some of the tumorigenic events observed in human CRCs. XB130 may be a promising target for CRC therapy in humans; further mechanistic studies exploring the function of XB130 in CRC cells are warranted.