Abstract
Purpose: We recently reported that tripartite motif-containing 67 (TRIM67) activates p53 to suppress colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the function and mechanism of TRIM67 in the inhibition of CRC cell proliferation and metastasis remains to be further elucidated. Methods: We detected the expression of TRIM67 in CRC tissues compared with normal tissues and confirmed its relationship with clinicopathological features. DNA methylation of TRIM67 was analyzed to determine its significantly hypermethylated sites in CRC tissues. CCK-8, colony formation, transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays were performed to evaluate the effects of TRIM67 on cell proliferation and metastasis in CRC cells. RNA sequencing of TRIM67 and TRIM67 rescue experiments were performed to reveal its mechanisms in CRC cell proliferation and metastasis. Results: TRIM67 expression was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues and its expression was associated with clinical stage, invasive depth, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and Dukes' stage. Three methylation sites were significantly hypermethylated and negatively correlated with TRIM67 expression in CRC tissues. TRIM67 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion in CRC cells. RNA sequencing revealed that protein mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 (MAPK11) was a potential downstream negative regulatory gene of TRIM67. Reversing MAPK11 expression could rescue the effects of TRIM67 on the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells. Conclusion: TRIM67 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis by mediating MAPK11 in CRC, and may be a potential target to inhibit CRC metastasis.