Engrailed-2 promotes a malignant phenotype of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through upregulating the expression of pro-oncogenic genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A number of homeobox genes have been implicated in the development of various cancers. However, the role of engrailed 2 (EN2), a member of the homeobox gene superfamily, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown.

Methods

The expression of EN2 was examined using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. A stable cell line was established to express exogenous EN2 using a lentivirus system. The malignant phenotype was analyzed with proliferation, clonogenicity, wound-healing and invasion assays. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was adopted to deplete endogenous EN2. RNA profiling was performed using gene expression microarray. The ShRNA-mediated method was used to knock down the expression of SPARC. The structure-function relationship was determin

SUBMITTER: Cao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7036277 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature