Fig. 5. GLS, GOT2, and ASNS are essential for SOX12-mediated CRC cell proliferation and metastasis.

a Western blotting analysis of GLS, GOT2, and ASNS levels in the indicated cells. b In vivo tumorigenesis assays showed that GLS, GOT2, and ASNS knockdown abolished SOX12-mediated tumorigenesis. The growth curves, tumor weights, and percentages of Ki67-positive cells in the indicated groups are shown. c In vivo tumorigenesis assays showed that GLS, GOT2, and ASNS overexpression attenuated the increase in CRC cell tumorigenesis induced by SOX12 knockdown. The growth curves, tumor weights, and percentages of Ki67-positive cells in the indicated groups are shown. d The BLI intensity of lung metastases in the different groups was traced for 9 weeks after implantation. The bioluminescence intensity at the indicated time points is presented as the total photon flux. e Incidence of lung metastasis in the indicated groups of nude mice. f Overall survival times in the indicated groups of nude mice. g Numbers of lung metastatic nodules. h Representative images of H&E-stained lung tissues from the different groups. The scale bars represent 200 µm (upper panel) and 50 µm (lower panel). *P < 0.05 compared with the control. The data are presented as the mean ± SD