α-E-Catenin (CTNNA1) Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Invasion and EMT of Bladder Cancer

AIM: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is an urogenital system tumor with a high morbidity. We aimed to explore the function and potential mechanism of α-E-catenin (CTNNA1) in BLCA. METHODS: The CTNNA1 expression in BLCA tissues was detected using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. QRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to measure the CTNNA1 expression in BLCA cell lines. CTNNA1 expression was up-regulated in T24 and UMUC-2 cells by CTNNA1 overexpression plasmid transfection. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were respectively assessed by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and transwell assay. The expression levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors were tested by qRT-PCR and Western blot. BLCA nude mice models were constructed to explore the effects of CTNNA1 on BLCA in vivo. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was proceeded to identify the CTNNA1-related pathways in BLCA. RESULTS: The expressions of CTNNA1 were down-regulated in BLCA tissues and cell lines, and its low expression indicated poor prognosis of BLCA patients. CTNNA1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT and promoted cell apoptosis in BLCA cells. CTNNA1 enhanced E-cadherin expression and suppressed N-cadherin, snail, MMP2 and MMP9 expressions in BLCA cells, which suggested that CTNNA1 repressed EMT in BLCA cells. Moreover, CTNNA1 could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. CTNNA1 was positively associated with P53 and apoptosis pathways in BLCA cells. CONCLUSION: CTNNA1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT and promoted cell apoptosis in BLCA via activating P53 and apoptosis pathways. CTNNA1 might be a novel target in BLCA therapy.