PRAF2 overexpression predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumorigenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family, member 2 (PRAF2) is involved in the occurrence and progression of several malignant tumors. However, its potential role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still unknown. METHODS: PRAF2 mRNA expression was determined in 77 frozen ESCC samples by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and its association with clinical features and overall survival were evaluated. The roles of PRAF2 in ESCC cells were investigated by proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and apoptosis assays in vitro. RESULTS: The PRAF2 mRNA expression was significantly increased in ESCC tissues compared with matched surrounding non-tumor tissues. Survival analysis showed that high PRAF2 mRNA expression was associated with worse overall survival in ESCC patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that PRAF2 (hazard ratio 2.05, 95% CI 1.10–3.85, P = 0.025) emerged as the independent predictor for poor overall survival in ESCC. The in vitro experiments revealed that knockdown of PRAF2 expression blocked cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell invasion and induced cell apoptosis in ESCC cells. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our data demonstrate that PRAF2 could be used as a potential prognostic biomarker and represent a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.