Abstract 4472: Downregulation of POTEG predicts poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract POTE ankyrin domain family, member G (POTEG) belongs to POTE family. The POTE gene family encodes very closely related proteins that are highly expressed in prostate, ovary, testis, and placenta. Recent studies indicated that the POTE proteins have a pro-apoptotic function. To examine whether POTEG also underwent apoptosis in ESCC cancer cells and the functions of POTEG in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we determined the location and expression of POTEG in ESCC cancer cells. Clinical association studies determined that POTEG downregulation was associated with poor clinical outcomes. Ectopic re-expression of POTEG effectively suppressed the tumorigenesis and metastasis of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo, including the inhibition of cell growth rate, foci formation, soft agar colony formation, migration, invasion and tumor formation in nude mice. Molecular analyses revealed that POTEG downregulated CDKs, leading to subsequent inhibition of Rb phosphorylation, and consequently arrested Cell Cycle at G1/S Checkpoint. Prospectively, POTEG can reduce the level of anti-apoptotic proteins, while promote the level of proapoptotic proteins and inducing apoptosis. On the other side, POTEG inhibit metastasis by reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ESCCs. Taken together, our results revealed that POTEG has a pivotal function in ESCC pathogenesis, with possible use as a biomarker and intervention point for new therapeutic strategies. Citation Format: Yan Li. Downregulation of POTEG predicts poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4472.