[IGHMBP2 overexpression promotes cell migration and invasion in esophageal squamous carcinoma]

Immunoglobulin mu binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2) is located in 11q13.2, which is frequently amplified in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). IGHMBP2 encodes a helicase involved in DNA replication and repair. IGHMBP2 protein also regulates gene transcription. The present study aims to explore the amplification of IGHMBP2 and its potential role in ESCC. A further analysis of our previously reported array-CGH data showed that IGHMBP2 was amplified in 28.9% of primary ESCC tumors. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Western blot showed that IGHMBP2 was amplified and overexpressed in KYSE30, KYSE180, KYSE510 and KYSE150 esophageal cancer cell lines. Transwell assays demonstrated that knockdown of IGHMBP2 in KYSE30 and KYSE150 inhibited cell invasion and migration, and increased the expression levels of E-cadherin. When rescue plasmids expressing IGHMBP2 were introduced, the abilities of cell invasion and migration were restored. These data suggest that IGHMBP2 overexpression may promote invasion and migration of ESCC cells through down-regulation of E-cadherin.