TRIM29 facilitates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the progression of colorectal cancer via the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Zhang
Zhengting Wang
Lei Wang
Mengfan Xie
Jie Zhong
Liwen Hong
Rong Fan
Mengmeng Cheng
Tianyu Zhang
Peijun Sun
Juntao Sun
Journal: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: CD44; Colorectal cancer; EMT; Metastasis; TRIM29
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China., Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China. .

Abstract:  Background: Tripartite Motif 29 (TRIM29) has been newly identified as being implicated in cancer progression. However, the biological role and molecular mechanism of TRIM29 in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be determined. Methods: The expression levels of TRIM29 and β-catenin in CRC patient specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. Recombinant lentivirus vectors containing the TRIM29 gene and its small hairpin interfering RNAs were constructed and transduced into CRC cells. Wound-healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells in vitro. Hepatic metastasis models in nude mice were established to validate the function of TRIM29 in vivo. Moreover, the expressions of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting in CRC cells. Finally, Western blotting, qRT-PCR, luciferase reporter assays, and immunofluorescence assays were used to explore the molecular mechanisms of TRIM29 in CRC progression. Results: Increased TRIM29 expression positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and β-catenin expression in patient CRC tissues. Overexpression of TRIM29 promoted invasion and metastasis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo by regulating EMT, whereas the knockdown of TRIM29 had the opposite effect. Further mechanistic studies suggest that TRIM29 can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via up-regulating CD44 expression in colorectal cancer. Conclusions: TRIM29 induces EMT through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via up-regulating CD44 expression, thus promoting invasion and metastasis of CRC. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 6d and 7c appear to have images which overlap. I did not look elsewhere. *** ![file] *** ![file] , 
 April 28, 2021 u201cFollowing the publication of the original article [1], the authors identified minor errors in image-typesetting in Fig. 2, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7; specifically panels Fig. 2h, Fig. 6d and Fig. 7c. The specific panels that have been corrected are as follows: Fig. 2h: all migration and invasion panels Fig. 6d: all panels Fig. 7c: both XAV939(+) panelsu201d , 
 Figure 2g appears to have two images which overlap as well, but I do not see that mentioned in the previous correction (apologies if I missed it). Perhaps the journal or institution could assist the authors in reviewing the original data. *** ![file] , 
 Retracted [19 May 2022] . ----------------------------------------- The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this Article. After publication, concerns were raised regarding overlapping panels in Figs. 6d and 7c. The authors addressed this by publishing a Correction [1]. However, further overlap was subsequently identified in Fig. 2g. The authors have provided the raw data, which has confirmed that a number of the original images were mislabeled. Additionally, the same western blot loading controls are used for different cells and treatment groups in Figs. 2d and 4a. The Editor-in-Chief therefore no longer has confidence in the presented data. None of the authors have responded to any correspondence from the publisher about this retraction notice. ,