The Regulatory Role of PRRX1 in Cancer Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Wenjiao Du,1,* Xinchang Liu,2,* Man Yang,2 Weipeng Wang,2 Jing Sun1 1Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215009, People’s Republic of China; 2Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jing SunInstitute of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215009, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail jsun@szhct.edu.cnWeipeng WangCenter for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Wenjing Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail wangweipeng@suda.edu.cnAbstract: PRRX1 (paired related homeobox 1), a member of the paired homeobox family, exhibits an important role in tumor. It is closely correlated to the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PRRX1 is an important transcription factor regulating EMT and plays an important role in tumor progression. In the process of tumor metastasis, PRRX1 mainly regulates the occurrence of EMT in tumor cells through TGF-β signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and Notch signaling pathway. PRRX1 is not only closely related to the tumor cell stemness but also involved in miRNA regulation of EMT. Therefore, PRRX1 may be a target for inhibiting the proliferation, metastasis and stemness of tumor cells. The current review provides a systemic profile of the regulatory role of PRRX1 in cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Keywords: PRRX1, EMT, tumor