%0 Journal Article
%T ZBTB7A, a miR-144-3p targeted gene, accelerates bladder cancer progression via downregulating HIC1 expression.
%A Liu J
%A Chou Z
%A Li C
%A Huang K
%A Wang X
%A Li X
%A Han C
%A Al-Danakh A
%A Li X
%A Song X
%J Cancer Cell Int
%V 22
%N 1
%D May 2022 2
%M 35501800
%F 6.429
%R 10.1186/s12935-022-02596-w
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A (ZBTB7A) is a member of the POK family of transcription factors that plays an oncogenic or tumor-suppressive role in different cancers depending on the type and genetic context of cancer. However, the function and molecular mechanism of ZBTB7A in bladder cancer (BC) remain elusive.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The role of ZBTB7A in bladder cancer was detected by colony formation, transwell, and tumor formation assays. The expression levels of ZBTB7A, HIC1, and miR-144-3p were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to assess the effect of ZBTB7A on the promoter activity of HIC1.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The present study revealed that knockdown of ZBTB7A suppressed BC cell growth and migration, as indicated by an approximately 50% reduction in the number of colonies and an approximately 70% reduction in the number of migrated cells. Loss of ZBTB7A inhibited tumor growth in vivo, resulting in a 75% decrease in tumor volume and an 80% decrease in tumor weight. Further mechanistic studies revealed that ZBTB7A bound to the hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) promoter and downregulated HIC1 expression, accelerating the malignant behavior of BC. Increased expression of ZBTB7A in BC tissues was negatively corrected with the expression of HIC1. Moreover, ZBTB7A was a target of miR-144-3p, which decreased ZBTB7A expression in BC.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our data demonstrate that ZBTB7A, a targeted gene of miR-144-3p, promoted tumorigenesis of BC through downregulating HIC1 expression.