Fig 1: TAF1 mediated Kbhb modification of KCTD9 is critical for CRC metastasis.A, B Effects of ectopic expression of KCTD9 WT or KCTD9 2KQ mutant combined with TAF1 knockdown on HCT116 and LOVO cells proliferation. C Cells generated in (A) were subjected to mouse xenograft assays by subcutaneous injection in athymic nude mice, and tumor sizes were monitored and analyzed. Data represent the mean ± S.E.M., n = 6 mice per group. D-H. Effects of ectopic expression of KCTD9 WT or the 2KQ mutant on cell invasion (D, E), liver metastasis (F, G), and mouse lifespan (H). 1 × 105 HCT116/tetO-shTAF1 cells, with or without ectopic expression of KCTD9 WT or the 2KQ mutant were orthotopically inoculated into the caecum of anaesthetized nude mice (n = 6). After 21days, the mice were euthanized and the number of macroscopic lesions on the liver surfaces was quantified at necropsy. Scale bar, 100 μm. Data are representative of three independent experiments with similar results. Error bars, ± SEM. **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001, by paired two-tail t-test or log-rank analysis.