MBNL1 and MRTF-A form a positive feedback loop in regulating the migration of esophageal cancer cells

作者：Liang, Chen; Chang, Zheng; Luo, Ying; Xu, Yao; Chen, Ao; Zhang, Tongcun^*

来源：Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 2022, 18(5): 1312-1319.

DOI：10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1094_21

• Esophageal Cancer
• feedback loop
• MBNL1
• migration
• MRTF-A

Background: Esophageal cancer is a serious human health threat with increasing incidence and poor prognosis. This study explored the effects and mechanisms of MBNL1 and MRTF-A in the migration of esophageal cancer cells. @@@ Materials and Methods: The analysis of relevant sequencing data showed the impact of MBNL1 expression on esophageal cancer. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to explore the expression levels MBNL1 and MRTF-A. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays evaluated cancer cell migration. Molecular mechanisms were explored by RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. @@@ Results: MBNL1 is highly expressed in esophageal cancer and associated with poor prognosis. MBNL1 promotes the migration of esophageal KYSE150 cancer cells by stabilizing MRTF-A mRNA. Moreover, MRTF-A activates transcription of the MBNL1 promoter, resulting in the upregulation of MBNL1 expression. @@@ Conclusions: MBNL1 may be an important regulator of metastasis and a factor associated with poor prognosis in esophageal cancer. Positive feedback regulation between MBNL1 and MRTF-A may be a potential therapeutic target for interrupting esophageal cancer migration. Generally, our results provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of esophageal cancer cell migration.