Homeobox C6 plays an oncogenic role in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a common urological tumor. Homeobox C6 () is an HOX family gene that has an oncogenic effect in various malignancies.

AIM

To investigate the expression and function of in BLCA.

METHODS

This study employed immunohistochemistry, along with global chip and sequencing data for BLCA, to comprehensively evaluate the protein and mRNA expression of in BLCA. RNA interference technology was employed to knock down the mRNA expression of in BLCA cells, and the impact of reduced expression on cellular function was assessed. Additionally, we explored the potential mechanisms of in BLCA by aggregating chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data.

RESULTS

The immunohistochemistry results, sequencing data, and microarray data revealed that both the mRNA and protein expressions of in BLCA were notably greater than the expressions in non-cancerous tissues. Knocking down the expression of considerably limited the function of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of BLCA cells, elevated cell apoptosis, and triggered the G0/G1 phase blockade. The potential target genes of were enriched in pathways such as chemical carcinogenesis and reactive oxygen species. A notable positive correlation between mRNA expression and its target gene timeless circadian regulator () was revealed. Notable binding peak signals for were identified in the promoter region of .

CONCLUSION

is upregulated in BLCA and may influence the cellular functions of BLCA by regulating the expression of the target gene .