MDK Activates the PI3K/AKT Axis to Induce AP2A1 Expression and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer
MDK promotes invasion, migration, proliferation, metastasis, and EMT in CRC cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway by inducing AP2A1 expression, which could serve as a diagnostic marker. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 significantly reduces AP2A1 levels and inhibits MDK-induced malignant behaviors. Targeting MDK-related signaling pathways may offer new strategies for CRC treatment.
Authors
- Kaiji Chen
- Chengyuan Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2149-9934)
- Tengfei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4435-7527)
- Jianming Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6326-3906)
- Moubin Lin
- Yunsheng Cheng
- Yanyan Xu
- Kesavamoorthy Gandhervin
- Yang Guo
Institutions
- Tongji University (CN)
- Anhui Medical University (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Pudong Medical Center (CN)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (CN)
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (CN)
- Hangzhou Medical College (CN)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cancers
- Published
- 2026-04-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18081311
- Primary Topic
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality