PAFAH1B3 is a KLF9 target gene that promotes proliferation and metastasis in pancreatic cancer

Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 22;14(1):9196. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-59427-3.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal human malignancies. Uncontrolled cell proliferation, invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells are the fundamental causes of death in PDAC patients. Our previous studies showed that KLF9 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we found that platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB3 (PAFAH1B3) is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that overexpression of PAFAH1B3 promoted the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, while downregulation of PAFAH1B3 inhibited these processes. We found that KLF9 expression is negatively correlated with PAFAH1B3 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. Western blotting revealed that KLF9 negatively regulates the expression of PAFAH1B3 in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. Rescue experiments showed that overexpression of PAFAH1B3 could partially attenuate the suppression of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration induced by KLF9 overexpression. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out, and the results showed that KLF9 directly binds to the promoter of PAFAH1B3 and inhibits its transcriptional activity. In conclusion, our study indicated that KLF9 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting PAFAH1B3.

Keywords: KLF9; PAFAH1B3; PDAC; Proliferation and metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase* / genetics
  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement* / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation* / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors* / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase
  • KLF9 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • PAFAH1B3 protein, human