Abstract LB-90: Sox17 antagonizes Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in HCC

Abstract Background: SRY-box containing gene 17 (Sox17) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene, which is indispensable for the embryonic development by antagonizing the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. We investigated the function and epigenetic regulation of Sox17 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Methylation and expression of Sox17 were analyzed in 62 HCC tissues and HCC cell lines by MSP and RT-PCR. Inhibitory effects of Sox17 in Wnt/ß-catenin pathway was detected by IHC and luciferase reporter assay. Function as tumor suppressor gene was tested via colony formation assay. Results: Methylation of Sox17 promoter region occurs in 82.26% of HCC tissues and is associated with nucleus location of -catenin. Restoration of Sox17 in HepG2 cells inhibits colony formation and ß-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription with the presence of HMG box. Conclusions: Sox17 negatively regulates canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and inhibits human HCC cells growth through epigenetic mechanism. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-90.