CDC Like Kinase 2 plays an oncogenic role in colorectal cancer via modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Neoplasma. 2022 May;69(3):657-669. doi: 10.4149/neo_2022_220206N138. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality, and significant heterogeneity among patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the role and mechanism of CLK2 in CRC, a kinase that phosphorylates SR proteins involved in splicing. Based on the analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and tissue microarray, we found that CLK2 was upregulated in CRC tissues and associated with a higher tumor stage and poorer overall survival. Consistent with the bioinformatics analysis, the functional experiments validated that CLK2 acted as a tumor-promoting factor in CRC progression. CLK2 knockdown suppressed aggressive cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as restrained tumor growth in vivo. In terms of mechanism, we found that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was responsible for the CLK2-induced CRC progression, based on the results of pathway enrichment analysis and subsequent experimental validation. Thus, our study, for the first time, identified the role of CLK2 in CRC development and provided a compelling biomarker for targeted therapy in CRC treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases* / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases* / genetics
  • United States
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway* / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • beta Catenin
  • Clk dual-specificity kinases
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases