Ran Tao

Ran Tao


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 June 2022 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JQJingjing Qi
Jingjing Qi
DCDi Cui
Di Cui
QWQi-Nian Wu
Qi-Nian Wu
Qi ZhaoQi Zhao
Qi Zhao
ZCZhan-Hong Chen
Zhan-Hong Chen
RTRan Tao
Ran Tao
Metastasis is the main cause of death for patients suffering gastric cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSC) are critical attributes of metastasis, both of which are regulated tightly by DNA methylation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Here, we studied the functions of DNA dioxygenase TET1 in regulating Wnt signaling and in gastric cancer metastasis. Knocking-down and overexpressing TET1 in gastric cancer cells promoted and inhibited metastatic spreading to the liver in immune-deficient mice, respectively. TET1 showed inhibitory effects on metastasis-related features -EMT and CSC, which were reversed by interfering with Wnt/β-catenin signaling. RNA-sequencing identified FOXO4 as a direct transactivating target of TET1. FOXO4 directly interacted with β-catenin and recruited it in the cytoplasm, so as to inhibit β-catenin-mediated transcription of Wnt target genes, including CSC marker EpCAM. Moreover, modulation of FOXO4 could reverse the effects of TET1 manipulation on EMT and self-renewal of CSCs. The analysis with clinical samples confirmed the value of FOXO4 as an independent prognostic predictor of patients’ overall survival. Taken together, regulation of Wnt signaling by TET1/FOXO4 is essential for metastasis-associated cellular properties, and targeting TET1/FOXO4/β-catenin pathway may serve as promising therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer metastasis.