Engrailed-2 might play an anti-oncogenic role in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of Molecular Histology Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 229 - 237
• Main Authors: Lai, Cai-yong, Xu, Yin, Yu, Gan-shen, Wu, Xun, Li, Yun-fei, Pan, Bin, Heng, Bao-li, Xue, Yi-jun, Su, Ze-xuan
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Apoptosis - genetics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - metabolism; Cell Biology; Cell Cycle - genetics; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement - genetics; Cell Proliferation - genetics; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - metabolism; Developmental Biology; Gene Expression; Homeodomain Proteins - genetics; Homeodomain Proteins - metabolism; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms - genetics; Kidney Neoplasms - metabolism; Life Sciences; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Review Paper; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Engrailed-2; Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma; Anti-oncogene
• ISSN: 1567-2379; 1567-2387
• DOI: 10.1007/s10735-016-9665-4

Our preliminary study indicated that Engrailed-2 (EN2) is downregulated but also ectopically expressed in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), and the absence of EN2 expression was associated with poor histological grade. However, the specific roles of EN2 in CCRCC have yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined the effects of inhibiting EN2 expression by human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) and overexpressing EN2 by human clear-cell renal cells (786-O). Results showed that EN2 inhibition accelerated HK-2 cell proliferation, shortened the cell cycle, reduced apoptosis, and acted more invasively. By contrast, EN2 overexpression in 786-O cells decelerated the proliferative ability of 786-O, increased the percentage of cell apoptosis, and weakened the invasive ability. Overall, the results demonstrated that EN2 might play an anti-oncogenic role in oncogenesis and development of CCRCC, thereby maintaining the normal growth of human renal tubular epithelial cells.