Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor gene, the protein product of which mediates degradation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). GAL3ST1 is a sulfotransferase which catalyzes the production of sulfatide, a plasma membrane sulfolipid previously implicated in metastasis. We observed GAL3ST1 overexpression in primary ccRCC tumours relative to matched-normal tissue and subsequently asked if GAL3ST1 was a HIF-responsive gene that facilitates ccRCC metastasis. GAL3ST1 expression was suppressed in ccRCC cells by stable reconstitution of wild-type VHL and also siRNA-mediated knockdown of HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha. Dual luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed a hypoxia-response element in the GAL3ST1 5’-UTR that appeared to be crucial for HIF-mediated upregulation. Finally, stable knockdown of GAL3ST1 significantly impeded ccRCC cell invasion through an in vitro basement membrane mimic. These results suggest GAL3ST1 is a HIF-responsive gene that promotes tumour cell invasion.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor gene, the protein product of which mediates degradation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). GAL3ST1 is a sulfotransferase which catalyzes the production of sulfatide, a plasma membrane sulfolipid previously implicated in metastasis. We observed GAL3ST1 overexpression in primary ccRCC tumours relative to matched-normal tissue and subsequently asked if GAL3ST1 was a HIF-responsive gene that facilitates ccRCC metastasis. GAL3ST1 expression was suppressed in ccRCC cells by stable reconstitution of wild-type VHL and also siRNA-mediated knockdown of HIF1alpha and HIF2alpha. Dual luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed a hypoxia-response element in the GAL3ST1 5’-UTR that appeared to be crucial for HIF-mediated upregulation. Finally, stable knockdown of GAL3ST1 significantly impeded ccRCC cell invasion through an in vitro basement membrane mimic. These results suggest GAL3ST1 is a HIF-responsive gene that promotes tumour cell invasion.