Then the loss-of-function experiments were employed, transwell migration assays revealed that SOX4 upregulation lead to increase CRC cell migration (Fig. 6b, Additional file 3: Fig. S4a), and transwell invasion assay strongly showed that SOX4 overexpression elevated the ability of CRC cell invasion (Fig. 6c, Additional file 3: Fig. S4b). The gene discussed is SOX4; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.