Coordination of FOXA2 and SIRT6 suppresses the hepatocellular carcinoma progression through ZEB2 inhibition.

Background: The Forkhead transcription family member FOXA2 plays a fundamental role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, but the precise interaction factor and molecular regulation of FOXA2 are not fully understood.

Objective: In this study, we found that FOXA2 could interact with sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) directly in vivo and in vitro. We explored that the expressions of FOXA2 and SIRT6 were significantly downregulated in human HCC and HCC cell lines.

Methods: Functionally, cell counting kit-8 assay and Transwell® assay were performed; we demonstrated that the knockdown of FOXA2 and SIRT6 promoted HepG2 cells and Huh7 cells proliferation and invasion in vitro.

Results: Mechanically, using luciferase reporter assay and fast chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we showed that FOXA2 and SIRT6 regulated the expression of ZEB2 from transcription level. ZEB2 suppression was involved in the anti-oncogenesis effect of FOXA2 and SIRT6. The negative correlation between the expressions of ZEB2 and FOXA2 or SIRT6 was observed in the tissues of HCC patients.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the coordination function of FOXA2 and SIRT6 played a critical role in HCC progression and may serve as potential drug candidates for HCC.