E74-like factor 4 promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of colorectal cancer cells via long non-coding RNA integrin subunit beta 8 antisense RNA 1-mediated histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation modification.

AIM

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy in the gastrointestinal tract. The main objective of this study is to explore the potential mechanisms of E74-like factor 4 (ELF4) in CRC progression, providing a novel therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

METHODS

CRC cells and normal control cells were cultured. Levels of ELF4/long non-coding RNA integrin subunit beta 8 antisense RNA 1 (LncRNA ITGB8-AS1)/claudin-23 (CLDN23) were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blot assay. ELF4 siRNA, ITGB8-AS1 pcDNA3.1, or CLDN23 siRNA were transfected into cells. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated. The enrichment of ELF4 on the ITGB8-AS1 promoter was detected. Dual-luciferase assay was employed to assess the binding between ELF4 and the ITGB8-AS1 promoter. RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to investigate the binding between ITGB8-AS1 and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). The binding of EZH2 and histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) to the CLDN23 promoter was detected.

RESULTS

ELF4 and ITGB8-AS1 were upregulated in CRC cells, while CLDN23 was downregulated. Knockdown of ELF4 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Mechanistically, ELF4 transcriptionally activated ITGB8-AS1 and promoted the binding between ITGB8-AS1 and EZH2. EZH2 catalyzed H3K27me3 modification on the CLDN23 promoter, leading to decreased CLDN23 expression. Overexpression of ITGB8-AS1 or downregulation of CLDN23 could reduce the inhibitory effects of silencing ELF4 on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

CONCLUSION

ELF4 accelerates CRC progression through the ITGB8-AS1/CLDN23 axis, providing new therapeutic targets for CRC.