biostudies-literatureZhang LMedical Vertical Project of Fujian ProvinceKey Project of Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province0277006https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9970063biostudies-literatureUnknown18(2)<h4>Introduction</h4>Cysteine Protease Inhibitor 1 (CST1), a cystatin superfamily protein with the effect on the inhibition of cysteine protease activity, is reported to be involved in the development of many malignancies. MiR-942-5p has been demonstrated its regulatory effects on some malignancies. However, the roles of CST1 and miR-942-5p on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unknown up to now.<h4>Methods</h4>The expression of CST1 in ESCC tissues was analyzed by TCGA database, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR, respectively. Matrigel-uncoated or-coated transwell assay was used to determine the effect of CST1 on migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Regulatory effect of miR-942-5p on CST1 was detected by dual luciferase assay.<h4>Results</h4>CST1 was ectopically highly expressed in ESCC tissues, and had the effect on promoting the migration and invasion of ESCC cells by upregulating phosphorylated levels of key effectors including MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and CREB in MEK/ERK/CREB pathway. Dual-luciferase assay results showed that miR-942-5p had a regulatory effect on targeting CST1.<h4>Conclusions</h4>CST1 plays a carcinogenic role on ESCC, and miR-942-5p can regulate the migration and invasion of ESCC cells by targeting CST1 to downregulate MEK/ERK/CREB signaling pathway, suggesting that miR-942-5p/CST1 axis might be a promising target for diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.PloS oneMiR-942-5p inhibits tumor migration and invasion through targeting CST1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.PMC99700632022J020482020CXB001Pan XYin XYu LHuang YYu SZhang YTu MCai LZhang LZhang SfalseMiR-942-5p inhibits tumor migration and invasion through targeting CST1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.<h4>Introduction</h4>Cysteine Protease Inhibitor 1 (CST1), a cystatin superfamily protein with the effect on the inhibition of cysteine protease activity, is reported to be involved in the development of many malignancies. MiR-942-5p has been demonstrated its regulatory effects on some malignancies. However, the roles of CST1 and miR-942-5p on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unknown up to now.<h4>Methods</h4>The expression of CST1 in ESCC tissues was analyzed by TCGA database, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR, respectively. Matrigel-uncoated or-coated transwell assay was used to determine the effect of CST1 on migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Regulatory effect of miR-942-5p on CST1 was detected by dual luciferase assay.<h4>Results</h4>CST1 was ectopically highly expressed in ESCC tissues, and had the effect on promoting the migration and invasion of ESCC cells by upregulating phosphorylated levels of key effectors including MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and CREB in MEK/ERK/CREB pathway. Dual-luciferase assay results showed that miR-942-5p had a regulatory effect on targeting CST1.<h4>Conclusions</h4>CST1 plays a carcinogenic role on ESCC, and miR-942-5p can regulate the migration and invasion of ESCC cells by targeting CST1 to downregulate MEK/ERK/CREB signaling pathway, suggesting that miR-942-5p/CST1 axis might be a promising target for diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z20232025-04-04T21:47:49.152Z2025-04-04T21:47:49.152ZS-EPMC99700633684834910.1371/journal.pone.0277006