PAQR3 Inhibits the Proliferation and Tumorigenesis in Esophageal Cancer Cells

Progestin and adipoQ receptor family member III (PAQR3), a member of the PAQR family, is frequently downregulated in different types of human cancer. However, its expression and functions in esophageal cancer are still unknown. This study aimed to explore the expression of PAQR3 in esophageal cancer cell lines and to investigate the role of PAQR3 in the development of esophageal cancer. Our data showed that PAQR3 is expressed in low amounts in human esophageal cancer cell lines. Overexpression of PAQR3 significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer cells. In addition, overexpression of PAQR3 downregulated the protein expression levels of RAF1, p-MEK1, and p-ERK1/2 in esophageal cancer cells. Furthermore, overexpression of PAQR3 attenuated the tumor growth in a tumor xenograft model. In conclusion, we demonstrated that overexpression of PAQR3 suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, PAQR3 may act as a therapeutic target for human esophageal cancer.