NCBP2 drives colorectal cancer growth and metastasis through LIPG-mediated lipid droplet accumulation

RNA-binding proteins play critical roles in RNA processing and are aberrantly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). Through comprehensive analysis of multiple gene expression datasets (GSE20916, GSE18105, GSE21510, TCGA-COAD and TCGA-READ), NCBP2 was identified as a potential tumorigenic gene in CRC. NCBP2 expression was significantly elevated in CRC tissues, correlated with tumour invasion and metastasis, and associated with poor patient survival outcomes. Furthermore, overexpression of NCBP2 in CRC cells was shown to increase cell proliferation, migration, and tumour invasion in both in vitro and in vivo models. Mechanistically, the NCBP2 protein stabilised LIPG mRNA via direct binding to the m7G motif in the 5'-cap structure of LIPG mRNA, thereby increasing LIPG expression. Additionally, NCBP2 promoted lipid droplet accumulation in CRC cells in a LIPG-dependent manner. These findings collectively suggest that the NCBP2-LIPG-lipid droplet axis represents a novel mechanism underlying CRC progression and metastasis, providing a promising therapeutic target for CRC treatment.