Fig. 1

PCK1 expression and prognostic value in primary CRC. A PCK1 expression in fresh CRC tissues tested by western blot analysis. B Immunohistochemical staining for PCK1 expression in paraffin-embedded CRC and normal epithelium and adenoma tissues. Staining intensity was scored as strong in normal epithelial tissues (3 + , a), moderate in adenoma tissues (2 + , b), and negative in CRC tissues (1 + , c). All images are at 100 × magnification. C Survival curves for disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I–III CRC, according to PCK1 expression. (a) DFS according to PCK1 expression; (b) OS according to PCK1 expression. D Western blot analysis of PCK1 protein expression in NCM460, HCT116, RKO, SW480, Caco2, and LOVO cells. E Western blot analysis was used to confirm transfection efficiency (a and b). (c) PCK1-shRNA (1#, and 2#) knockdown efficiency in SW480 cells. Actin was used as the control. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001