Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are well-characterized for their involvement in tumor progression. Herein, the current study set out to unravel the association of HDAC8 with colorectal cancer (CRC). Bioinformatics analyses were carried out to retrieve the expression patterns of HDAC8 in CRC and the underlying mechanism. Following expression determination, the specific roles of HDAC8, IRF1, and SUCNR1 in CRC cell functions were analyzed following different interventions. Additionally, tumor formation and liver metastasis in nude mice were operated to verify the fore experiment. Bioinformatics analyses predicted the involvement of the HDAC8/IRF1/SUCNR1 axis in CRC. In vitro cell experiments showed that HDAC8 induced the CRC cell growth by reducing IRF1 expression. Meanwhile, IRF1 limited SUCNR1 expression by binding to its promoter. SUCNR1 triggered the growth and metastasis of CRC by inhibiting cell autophagy. HDAC8 blocked IRF1-mediated SUCNR1 inhibition and thereby inhibited autophagy, accelerating CRC cell growth. Lastly, HDAC8 facilitated the development of CRC and liver metastasis by regulating the IRF1/SUCNR1 axis in vivo. Taken together, our findings highlighted the critical role for the HDAC8/IRF1/SUCNR1 axis in the regulation of autophagy and the resultant liver metastasis in CRC.