Long non‑coding RNA BANCR promotes proliferation, invasion and migration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells via the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major histological type of esophageal cancer, identified as a leading cause of tumor-associated death worldwide. In addition, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) BRAF-activated non-coding RNA (BANCR) expression is increased in the plasma of patients with ESCC, which can be reversed by tumor resection. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of BANCR in ESCC progression. The relative mRNA expression of BANCR was determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The cell behaviors of Eca-109 cells were detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell chamber assays. Finally, the expression levels of proteins involved in the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and cell metastasis were analyzed with western blotting. The results revealed that lncRNA BANCR was highly expressed in ESCC cells compared with in normal esophageal cells. BANCR overexpression enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells, and BANCR silencing exerted opposite effects. Moreover, BANCR overexpression induced activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in ESCC cells. Notably, U0126, a specific MEK inhibitor, decreased MEK and ERK expression, and blocked the promotive effects of BANCR overexpression on the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Overall, lncRNA BANCR facilitated the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells via the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, lncRNA BANCR may be a promising target for inhibiting ESCC growth and metastasis.

STM2457 Inhibits the Invasion and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer by Down-Regulating BRAF-Activated Noncoding RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modification

“…In this study, we have focused on BANCR as a potential therapeutic target for human pancreatic cancer. In fact, there is increasing evidence that BANCR is overexpressed in human cancers, such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [23] and breast cancer [24]. BANCR is also upregulated in colorectal cancer plasma samples [25], and BANCR knockdown suppressed colorectal cancer progression and strengthened the chemosensitization of colorectal cancer cells to adriamycin [26].…”

Study of LncRNA BANCR Expression in Tumor Tissues and Adjacent Normal Tissues in Gastric Cancer Patients

“…manipulated an investigation to manufacture BANCR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines; the assessment indicated that the overexpression of BANCR promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells through activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. [ 40 ] Sadeghpour et al . conducted another investigation on the alteration of BANCR expression in ESCC patients; analysis showed the evaluation of BANCR expression associated closely with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis in ESCC patients.…”

Long noncoding RNA CDKN2B‐AS1 silencing protects against esophageal cancer cell invasion and migration by inactivating the TFAP2A/FSCN1 axis

“…LncRNAs are known to exert modulatory effects in diverse cancers via distinct molecular mechanisms, such as the interplay between lncRNAs and RNA‐binding proteins, including transcription factors 22 . For instance, lncRNA BANCR fosters ESCC cell invasive, proliferative, and migrating properties through the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway 23 . LncRNA NMR boosts ESCC cell migrating and invasive properties by interacting with the bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor 24 …”