Here, we employed several complementary mouse models of intestinal cancers, including the Slit2 transgenic mice, the ApcMin/+ spontaneous intestinal adenoma mouse model, and the DMH/DSS-induced colorectal carcinoma model to clarify function of Slit2/Robo1 signaling in intestinal tumorigenesis.
Robo-interacting ubiquitin-specific protease 33 (USP33) is required for the inhibitory function of Slit2 on CRC cell migration by deubiquitinating and stabilizing Robo1.
The expression levels of miR-218, SLIT2 and SLIT3 in CRC tissues were decreased than those in adjacent normal tissues (all P < 0.05). miR-218 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage, lymph node metastasis (LNM) and differentiation (all P < 0.05).