Abstract:
Objective To analyze the expression of LETM2 in KYSE150 and ECA109 cell lines and its effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Methods The expression level of the LETM2 protein in 90 paired human ESCC tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues was determined through immunohistochemistry. The expression level of LETM2 in ESCC cell lines was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. The expression levels of LETM2 in KYSE150 and ECA109 cell lines were knocked down using lentivirus. MTT assays were performed to examine the effect of LETM2 on the proliferation of ESCC cells. Colony formation assay was used to detect the colony formation ability. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle. The effect of LETM2 depletion on the migration and invasion of ESCC cells was determined by Transwell assay.
Results LETM2 expression was frequently upregulated in the ESCC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. The suppressed exogenous expression of LETM2 led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation. However, cell migration and invasion were not affected. The results on the cell cycle distribution revealed that LETM2 knockdown acts as a negative regulator of the cell cycle at the G1 to S phase transition.
Conclusion LETM2 acts as a tumor-driven gene in the development and progression of ESCC. This finding suggests that LETM2 can be used as an efficient prognosis biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.
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