Cofilin 1 promotes bladder cancer and is regulated by TCF7L2

Abstract

Earlier reports demonstrated that Cofilin expression is increased in bladder cancer samples, though its function remains unknown. Here, we found that Cofilin 1 expression was higher in bladder cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues. Overexpression of Cofilin 1 promoted, while Cofilin 1 knockdown inhibited, proliferation, migration, and invasion in the T24 and RT4 bladder cancer cell lines. In addition, Cofilin 1 overexpression increased, while Cofilin 1 knockdown decreased, bladder tumor volumes in mouse xenograft experiments. Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) targeted the promoter of the Cofilin 1 gene, and TCF7L2 knockdown or mutations in the Cofilin 1 promoter dramatically decreased Cofilin 1 transcription. TCF7L2 promoted cell proliferation and migration and increased Cofilin 1 protein levels in RT4 and T24 cells. Thus, TCF7L2 contributed to Cofilin 1-induced promotion of bladder cancer development by binding to the Cofilin 1 promoter and increasing its expression.