ApoM regulates PFKL through the transcription factor SREBF1 to inhibit the proliferation, migration and metastasis of liver cancer cells

Zhang,Xiao; Zhang,Xiao; Bai,Yaping; Bai,Yaping; Zhu,Wenhao; Zhu,Wenhao; Lv,Xinyue; Lv,Xinyue; Pei,Wenjun; Pei,Wenjun

doi:10.3892/ol.2022.13331

ApoM regulates PFKL through the transcription factor SREBF1 to inhibit the proliferation, migration and metastasis of liver cancer cells

Authors:
- Xiao Zhang
- Yaping Bai
- Wenhao Zhu
- Xinyue Lv
- Wenjun Pei
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Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biological Macro‑Molecules Research, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
Published online on: May 16, 2022 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2022.13331
Article Number: 210
Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) is considered a protective factor that inhibits the occurrence and development of liver cancer, but the specific underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Previous studies have demonstrated that ApoM gene knockout promotes the expression of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element‑binding protein 1 (SREBP1; also known as SREBF1) in the livers of mice. SREBF1 is closely associated with factors involved in fatty acid synthesis and has a role in the promotion of tumor progression. The present study initially confirmed that the expression levels of ApoM in cancer tissues were significantly decreased compared with those in normal tissue, while the expression levels of SREBF1 were significantly increased. In addition, ApoM gene knockout significantly increased the expression levels of SREBF1 and the key glycolytic enzyme ATP‑dependent 6‑phosphofructokinase, liver type (PFKL). Binding site prediction and a dual‑luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that SREBF1 regulates the promoter region of PFKL. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to propose the regulation of glycolytic enzyme transcription levels by SREBF1. Furthermore, cell proliferation and Transwell assays demonstrated that ApoM gene knockout increased the expression levels of SREBF1 and further enhanced the activity of the promoter region of PFKL, ultimately promoting the proliferation, migration and invasion of liver cancer cells.

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