Furthermore, DJ‐1 overexpression in two colon cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480, activated protein kinase AKT and downregulated tumor suppressor PTEN, whereas DJ‐1 knockdown upregulated PTEN expression and effectively suppressed CRC cell invasion and proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, revealing a mechanism underlying DJ‐1 pro‐oncogenic activity in CRC. This evidence concerns the gene PTEN and colorectal carcinoma.