The role of transmembrane immunoglobulin domain containing-1 in colon cancer
Embargo Date
2021-06-04
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Although various genetic and environmental mechanisms have been identified, the full molecular mechanisms deriving CRC tumorigenesis remain largely unknown. Transmembrane and Immunoglobulin Domain Containing-1 (TMIGD1) is a newly identified candidate tumor suppressor that is mainly expressed in the kidneys and intestines. However, whether TMIGD1 is involved in the tumorigenesis of CRC is not currently known. The main objective of this project was to investigate the effects of the loss of TMIGD1 on intestinal morphology and cellular differentiation in wildtype and knockout mice. Our findings illustrate that the loss of TMIGD1 causes intestinal adenomas and disrupts intestinal brush border formation in mouse models. Furthermore, our research shows that the loss of TMIGD1 in mice affects cellular maturation and intestinal epithelium differentiation. We also demonstrate that TMIGD1 is downregulated in human CRC tissue. Taken together, our results reveal that the loss of TMIGD1 in mouse colonic epithelium results in impaired intestinal epithelium brush border formation, junctional polarity, and development of colonic adenoma.