Silencing of Forkhead box D1 inhibits proliferation and migration in glioma cells

Abstract Despite the extensive role of Forkhead box transcription factors in the development and progression of various cancers, little is known about their role in glioma. We examined the expression and function of Forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) in glioma cell behavior and found that FOXD1 was upregulated and directly correlated with the glioma grade. Data analysis also revealed significant differences in FOXD1 expression for both gene expression profiles (GSE4290 and GSE7696) and the TCGA datasets. Additionally, decreased FOXD1 expression in U251 and U87 glioma cells caused a delay in cell growth and a disruption in colony formation. FOXD1 silencing also promoted generation of apoptotic bodies containing nuclear fragments. Cells with suppressed expression of FOXD1 markedly reduced glioma cell migration. Our results suggest that FOXD1 may serve as a novel regulator of glioblastoma cell behavior that may offer a novel target for gene targeted glioma therapies.