DJ-1 promotes colorectal cancer progression through activating PLAGL2/Wnt/BMP4 axis.Metastasis remains a big barrier for the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).  Our previous proteomics analysis identified DJ-1 as a potential metastasis biomarker of CRC.  In this study, we found that DJ-1 was upregulated in CRC.  The levels of DJ-1 were closely correlated with the depths of invasion and predicted patient outcome.  Enforced expression of DJ-1 could enhance CRC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by stimulating Wnt-β-catenin signaling.  Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively.  Furthermore, DJ-1-induced Wnt signaling activation was dependent on PLAGL2 expression.  In conclusion, our study demonstrates that DJ-1 can promote CRC metastasis by activating PLAGL2-Wnt-BMP4 axis, suggesting novel therapeutic opportunities for postoperative adjuvant therapy in CRC patients.
DJ-1
DJ-1 promotes colorectal cancer progression through activating PLAGL2/Wnt/BMP4 axis.Metastasis remains a big barrier for the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).  Our previous proteomics analysis identified DJ-1 as a potential metastasis biomarker of CRC.  In this study, we found that DJ-1 was upregulated in CRC.  Enforced expression of DJ-1 could enhance CRC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by stimulating Wnt-β-catenin signaling.  Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively.  In conclusion, our study demonstrates that DJ-1 can promote CRC metastasis by activating PLAGL2-Wnt-BMP4 axis, suggesting novel therapeutic opportunities for postoperative adjuvant therapy in CRC patients.
CRC
Enforced expression of DJ-1 could enhance CRC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo by stimulating Wnt-β-catenin signaling. 
Wnt-β-catenin signaling
Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively. 
TCF transcription activity
Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively. 
BMP4 expression
Specifically, DJ-1-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation stimulated TCF transcription activity, which promoted BMP4 expression for CRC cell migration and invasion, and elevated CCND1 expression for CRC cell proliferation, respectively. 
CCND1 expression
In conclusion, our study demonstrates that DJ-1 can promote CRC metastasis by activating PLAGL2-Wnt-BMP4 axis, suggesting novel therapeutic opportunities for postoperative adjuvant therapy in CRC patients.
PLAGL2-Wnt-BMP4 axis