RESUMO
Ybox binding protein1 (YB1) has been identified as an oncoprotein in various malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological role of YB1 and its association with epithelialtomesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression of YB1 and three EMTrelated proteins (Ecadherin, Ncadherin and vimentin) was analyzed in 80 CRC and matched normal tissue samples, by immunohistochemistry. The results indicated that the expression of YB1 was higher in CRC tissue samples than that in matched normal controls and was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastases. Furthermore, analysis showed that YB1 expression was negatively correlated with Ecadherin and positively correlated with Ncadherin and vimentin expression. In vitro assays showed that knockdown of YB1 inhibited the proliferation, apoptosis resistance, invasion and migration of the HT29 CRC cell line. Of note, following knockdown of YB1, Ecadherin expression was elevated whereas Ncadherin and vimentin expression was reduced. Taken together, these results suggest that YB1 promotes the malignant progression of CRC in part through the induction of EMT, and YB1 may therefore be a potential novel target for CRC treatment.