Hypermethylation of the CHRDL1 promoter induces proliferation and metastasis by activating Akt and Erk in gastric cancer

CHRDL1 (Chordin-like 1) is a secreted protein that acts as an antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). BMP plays a role as an activator of BMP receptor II (BMPR II), which mediates extracellular to intracellular signal transmission and is involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Herein, we report that CHRDL1 expression was significantly down-regulated in gastric cancer tissues and associated with poor survival. Clinic-pathological parameters demonstrated a close relationship between low CHRDL1 expression and metastasis. In vitro, CHRDL1 knockdown promoted tumor cell proliferation and migration through BMPR II by activating Akt, Erk and β-catenin. Furthermore, we observed the hypermethylation of the CHRDL1 promoter in gastric cancer, which induced low expression of CHRDL1 and decreased its secretion to the supernatant. Finally, in vivo experiments confirmed that CHRDL1 acted as a tumor suppressor gene in suppressing tumor growth and metastasis.