Fig. 1

High TM4SF1 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis. a, b Data from the Oncomine, TCGA and GEO databases showed that TM4SF1 was upregulated in CRC tissues compared to normal controls. c Immunohistochemical staining for TM4SF1 in CRC tissues and peritumoural normal tissues (n = 72). A total of 69% (50/72, SI ≥ 4) of CRC tissues were positive for TM4SF1 expression, while 31%(22/72, SI ≥3) of normal tissues were positive for TM4SF1. d, e High TM4SF1 expression showed a significant positive association with T stage and lymph node metastasis. f Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of TM4SF1 expression in the present study. g-i The overall survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier Plotter in the R2 Genomics Analysis Platform (https://hgserver1.amc.nl/cgi-bin/r2/main.cgi; the study conducted by Sveen, Smith and Marisa). j-k qRT-PCR and WB analysis revealed that TM4SF1 was upregulated in CRC tissues (*P < 0.05). l WB and qPCR analysis of TM4SF1 expression in CRC cell lines (HCT116, SW480, DLD1, LoVo, RKO) and normal colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460 and FHC) *P < 0.05