Knockdown Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3) inhibits colorectal cancer metastasis and sensitizes to cisplatin through targeting ZNF471

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous cancer, and many risk factors for colorectal cancer have beenestablished. For CRC metastasis, tumor cell migration, adhesion as well as invasion are important processes. WiskottAldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3) is necessary for metastasis of various types of cancers. However,its role in CRC progression has not been fully elucidated. This study examined the in vitro functional roles of WASF3 inthe CRC and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. We used siRNA-WASF3 to gene silence WASF3 in coloncancer cell (HCT116) in vitro. The effects of WASF3 silencing on HCT116 cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration, aswell as invasion were assessed by flow cytometry, CCK-8, and transwell assays. ZNF471 protein expressions weredetected by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. Moreover, the effects of ZNF471 were studied on a series of invitro antitumor-promoting assays using HCT116. WASF3 knockdown expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA)ameliorated CRC cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, we observedthat WASF3 contributed to upregulating the metastasis signaling pathway through inhibiting the expression of ZNF471.Our study suggests that targeting WASF3 signaling might be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating CRC.