Transforming growth factor beta-inducing factor 1 (TGIF1) was reported to be dysregulated in several types of cancer. However, its expression pattern and functions in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remained unknown. In the present study, the expression of TGIF1 was found to be elevated in the clinical NSCLC tissues. TGIF1 promoted the growth and migration of NSCLC cells, while knocking down the expression of TGIF1 inhibited the growth and migration of NSCLC cells. Moreover, downregulation of TGIF1 impaired the metastasis of NSCLC cells. In the study for the molecular mechanisms, it was found that TGIF1 positively regulated beta-catenin/TCF signaling. In summary, our study demonstrated the oncogenic role of TGIF1 in NSCLC, and TGIF1 might be a therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Keywords: Beta-catenin/TCF signaling; Cell growth; Migration; Nonsmall cell lung cancer; TGIF1.