Overexpression of ADAM9 Promotes Colon Cancer Cells Invasion

Abstract

Introduction: ADAM9 is a membrane-anchored metalloprotease that is markedly upregulated in several human carcinomas. We previously showed that ADAM9 staining was increased in colon cancer tissues. In the present work, we investigated the expression pattern of ADAM9 in colon cell lines, and the effects of overexpression ADAM9 on colon cancer proliferation and invasion.

Materials and methods: ADAM9 mRNA expression was determined in colon cancer tissues by RT-PCR assay, meanwhile, ADAM9 DNA and protein levels were measured in colon cancer cell lines by PCR and western blot, respectively. ADAM9 transfection was carried out in HT-29 colon cancer cells, and cell growth was measured by MTT assay, cell invasion ability was assessed by Matrigel assay.

Results: ADAM9 mRNA was upregulated in colon cancer tissues, ADAM9 DNA and protein was overexpressed in Lovo cell lines, while the ADAM9 expression levels in HT-29, HCT-8, and Ls174t cells were below the levels of detection. Enhanced ADAM9 expression by ADAM9 transfection in HT-29 cells promoted cell invasion without increasing cell proliferation.

Conclusions: These results suggest that ADAM9 contributes to cell invasion and progression in colon cancer.

Keywords: ADAM9; colorectal cancer; invasion; metastasis; prognosis; proliferation.