Fig. 4. Downregulation of POFUT1 inhibits CRC cell migration and invasion and promotes CRC cell apoptosis in vitro.

a The wound-healing assay showed that the area of co-colonization in the shPOFUT1 group was lower than the NC group. Quantification (bottom panel), *p < 0.05, magnification: ×40 a. b The migration and invasion ability of SW620 and HCT116 cells were significantly inhibited in the shPOFUT1 group relative to the NC group, which was evaluated using a transwell assay. Quantification (bottom panel), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.03, magnification: ×200 b, c. c A western blot assay revealed the level of E-cadherin increased and the level of protein Vimentin decreased in the shPOFUT1 group compared with the NC group. Quantification (right panel), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.03. d A flow cytometry assay indicated that the percent of total apoptotic cells significantly increased in the shPOFUT1 group. Quantification (right panel), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.03. e A western blot assay revealed the level of Bax increased and the level of protein bcl-2 decreased in the shPOFUT1 group compared with the NC group. Quantification (right panel), *p < 0.05, **p < 0.03