Long non-coding RNA DUXAP8 regulates proliferation and invasion of esophageal squamous cell cancer

The purpose of this research was to detect the expression of long non-coding RNA DUXAP8 in esophageal cancer, and to explore its underlying mechanism in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

We collected 78 pairs of esophageal cancer tissues and normal adjacent tissues. The mRNA level of DUXAP8 in these esophageal cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues was detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between DUXAP8 expression and the prognosis of esophageal cancer was analyzed. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was applied to reduce the expression of DUXAP8 in ESCC cell lines (TE-1 and KYSE520). Meanwhile, the specific effect of DUXAP8 on the biological functions of ESCC cells was analyzed by CCK-8 assay (cell counting kit-8), colony formation assay and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the regulatory effect of DUXAP8 on Wnt/β-catenin pathway was detected by Western blot.

DUXAP8 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues than that of normal adjacent tissues. DUXAP8 expression was positively correlated to tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, whereas negatively correlated to the survival rate of ESCC patients. Cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion abilities were significantly decreased after knockdown of DUXAP8 in ESCC cells. Western blot results showed that DUXAP8 could regulate the occurrence of ESCC via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

DUXAP8 expression was significantly correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of ESCC patients. DUXAP8 may promote the occurrence of ESCC via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.