Transcription Activation of Rab8A by PEA3 Augments Progression of Esophagus Cancer by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND: Rab8A has been reported as an oncogenic gene in breast and cervical cancer. However, the function and molecular mechanism of Rab8A in esophagus cancer has not been reported. METHODS: Rab8A expression was detected by qPCR and western blotting assays, small interference RNA (siRNA) was applied to reduce Rab8A expression, and the biological behaviors of esophagus cancer cells were estimated by cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and transwell and western blotting assays. The transcriptional factor of Rab8A was verified by dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The protein expression of key genes in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was determined by western blotting assay. M435-1279 was used to suppress the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. RESULTS: A significant increase of Rab8A expression has been found in esophagus cancer cells. Knockdown of Rab8A suppressed the viability, colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities of esophagus cancer cells and induced apoptosis. PEA3 transcriptionally regulated Rab8A expression and promoted the viability, colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities of esophagus cancer cells and blocked apoptosis, which were diminished by si-Rab8A transfection. Additionally, the expression levels of key genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were strengthened by PEA3 overexpression, which were reduced by si-Rab8A transfection. M435-1279 treatment significantly reduced the viability and colony formation of esophagus cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed that Rab8A was transcriptionally regulated by PEA3 and promoted the malignant behaviors of esophagus cancer cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The above results indicated that Rab8A may be considered as a promising biomarker for diagnosis and precision treatment in esophagus cancer.