TY - JOUR T1 - <em>OPCML</em> Exerts Antitumor Effects in Cholangiocarcinoma <em>via</em> AXL/STAT3 Inactivation and Rho GTPase Down-regulation JF - Cancer Genomics - Proteomics JO - Cancer Genomics Proteomics SP - 771 LP - 780 DO - 10.21873/cgp.20296 VL - 18 IS - 6 AU - RICUPHAN KHAMKO AU - JUREERUT DADUANG AU - CHATRI SETTASATIAN AU - TEMDUANG LIMPAIBOON Y1 - 2021/11/01 UR - http://cgp.iiarjournals.org/content/18/6/771.abstract N2 - Background/Aim: Opioid-binding protein/cell adhesion molecule-like (OPCML) plays a crucial role in the suppression of tumor progression in several cancer types. Nevertheless, the association between OPCML functions and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) progression remains unknown. We aimed to investigate biological functions of OPCML and related signaling pathways in CCA cell lines. Materials and Methods: Methylation status and ectopic expression of OPCML were determined in CCA cell lines using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and pcDNA3.1+/C-(K)DYK-OPCML, respectively. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were investigated. Results: OPCML was found to be epigenetically silenced by DNA methylation. Ectopic expression of OPCML inhibited CCA proliferation by inducing apoptosis via AXL receptor tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (AXL/STAT3) inactivation. It also suppressed cell migration and invasion via down-regulation of Rho GTPases, ras homolog family member A (RHOA), Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1) and cell division cycle 42 (CDC42). Conclusion: We are the first to unravel the antitumor effects and the related signaling pathways of OPCML in CCA. The loss of OPCML expression due to promoter hypermethylation can cause a decrease in cell death but increase in cell migration and invasion, which may at least in part contribute to CCA progression. ER -