SIX4 activates Akt and promotes tumor angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays important roles in solid tumors progression. Growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) can induce angiogenesis and hypoxia promotes the expression of VEGFs through activating hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1 alpha). However, the regulation of HIF-1 alpha still not been fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the Sine Oculis Homeobox Homolog 4 (SIX4) is up-regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and high expression of SIX4 predicts a poor prognosis. Overexpression of SIX4 enhances tumor growth and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, while knockdown of SIX4 inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we show that SIX4 increases the expression of VEGF-A by coordinating with the HIF-1 alpha. Mechanically, we explore that SIX4 up-regulates the expression of HIF-1 alpha depending on Akt activation. Collectively, we demonstrate that SIX4 is functional in regulating tumor angiogenesis and SIX4 might be used as anti-angiogenic therapy in CRC.