Data from CDX2 Regulates <i>Multidrug Resistance 1</i> Gene Expression in Malignant Intestinal Epithelium

Abstract

<div>Abstract<p>The caudal-related homeobox transcription factor CDX2 has a key role in intestinal development and differentiation. <i>CDX2</i> heterozygous mutant mice develop colonic polyps, and loss of CDX2 expression is seen in a subset of colon carcinomas in humans. Ectopic CDX2 expression in the stomach of transgenic mice promotes intestinal metaplasia, and CDX2 expression is frequently detected in intestinal metaplasia in the stomach and esophagus. We sought to define CDX2-regulated genes to enhance knowledge of CDX2 function. HT-29 colorectal cancer cells have minimal endogenous CDX2 expression, and HT-29 cells with ectopic CDX2 expression were generated. Microarray-based gene expression studies revealed that the <i>Multidrug Resistance 1</i> (<i>MDR1/P-glycoprotein/ABCB1</i>) gene was activated by CDX2. Evidence that the <i>MDR1</i> gene was a direct transcriptional target of CDX2 was obtained, including analyses with <i>MDR1</i> reporter gene constructs and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. RNA interference–mediated inhibition of CDX2 decreased endogenous <i>MDR1</i> expression. In various colorectal cancer cell lines and human tissues, endogenous <i>MDR1</i> expression was well correlated to CDX2 expression. Overexpression of CDX2 in HT-29 cells revealed increased resistance to the known substrate of <i>MDR1</i>, vincristine and paclitaxel, which was reversed by an <i>MDR1</i> inhibitor, verapamil. These data indicate that CDX2 directly regulates <i>MDR1</i> gene expression through binding to elements in the promoter region. Thus, CDX2 is probably important for basal expression of <i>MDR1</i>, regulating drug excretion and absorption in the lower gastrointestinal tract, as well as for multidrug resistance to chemotherapy reagent in CDX2-positive gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Res; 70(17); 6767–78. ©2010 AACR.</p></div>