Aldolase A Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer through Targeting COPS6 and Regulating MAPK Signaling Pathway

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious threat to human health, and its underlying mechanisms needs further explored. Aldolase A (ALDOA) has received increasing attention for its reported association with multiple cancers, but the function and mechanism of ALDOA in CRC remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the biological role of ALDOA in CRC.Methods: The stable ALDOA knockdown or overexpression cell lines were established for subsequent experiments. The qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ALDOA and COPS6 and the relative protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and MAPK signaling pathway. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay was applied to determine ALDOA localization. CCK-8, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed to evaluate CRC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Mouse xenograft models were established to verify the effect of ALDOA on CRC cell growth in vivo. Immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis were conducted to identify the interactions between ALDOA and COPS6.Results: ALDOA was overexpressed in CRC tissues and cell lines. Silencing ALDOA significantly impaired the proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC cells in vitro, and obviously decreased the growth of CRC cells in vivo. Mechanically, ALDOA bound to and regulated COPS6, and the promoting effects of upregulated ALDOA on CRC cell proliferation and metastasis were inhibited by the depletion of COPS6. Besides, EMT program and MAPK signaling pathway were activated by ALDOA overexpression.Conclusion: ALDOA facilitated the proliferation, invasion and migration of CRC through binding and regulating COPS6, inducing EMT and activating MAPK signaling pathway.