ZC3H13 suppresses colorectal cancer proliferation and invasion via inactivating Ras–ERK signaling

Abstract ZC3H13 is a canonical CCCH zinc finger protein, which harbors a somatic frame‐shift mutation in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its expression and biological function were still uncertain. In the current study, we found that ZC3H13 was served as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells, which decreased the expression of Snail, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E1, and increased the expression of Occludin and Zo‐1 through inactivating Ras–ERK signaling pathway. Furthermore, reduction of ZC3H13 associated with advanced TNM stage ( p = 0.02), positive regional lymph node metastasis ( p = 0.01). Taken together, the current study indicated that ZC3H13 may be an upstream regulator of Ras–ERK signaling pathway and suppressed invasion and proliferation of CRC.