COL10A1 Overexpression Promotes Gastric Cancer Aggressiveness Through EMT and Major Oncogenic Pathways

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality, with limited options for early detection and precision therapy. Collagen family members are increasingly recognized as key structural and regulatory components of the tumor microenvironment. <i>Collagen type X alpha 1 chain</i> (<i>COL10A1</i>) appears among the top overexpressed genes in GC and has been linked with tumorigenesis, but its functional role in GC has not been completely elucidated. The oncogenic potential of COL10A1 was assessed in vitro in GC cell lines using adenoviral-mediated overexpression. Functional assays were further performed to evaluate proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Intracellular signaling alterations were analyzed by phosphokinase protein profiling and protein-protein interaction network analysis. <i>COL10A1</i> overexpression significantly increased proliferation and migration, while reducing GC cell apoptosis. It promotes EMT by up-regulating mesenchymal markers (<i>N-cadherin</i>, <i>Vimentin</i>, <i>Snail/Slug</i>) and suppressing epithelial markers such as <i>E-cadherin</i> and <i>β-catenin</i>. Additionally, <i>COL10A1</i> overexpression activated oncogenic signaling pathways, including the JNK and MAPK cascades, increasing proliferation and tumorigenic potential. Our results showed that COL10A1 functions as a driver for tumor progression by promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion along with EMT through activation of important oncogenic pathways. These findings highlight its biological role in tumor progression and contribute to a better understanding of GC pathogenesis.