Downregulation of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibits migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via Wnt/ β-catenin pathway.

Downregulation of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibits migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2019 Jul 05;:
Authors: Cui Y, Zhang L, Wang W, Ma S, Liu H, Zang X, Zhang Y, Guan F
Abstract
Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is an important methyltransferase involved in the biotransformation of many drugs and exogenous compounds. Abnormal expression of NNMT protein is closely associated with the onset and progression of many malignancies, but little is known about its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we aimed to explore whether NNMT plays any roles in carcinogenesis and metastasis in ESCC. NNMT expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in ESCC and corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Functional experiments were performed to elucidate the effects of NNMT knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in EC9706 and TE1 cells. NNMT expression was significantly elevated in ESCC tissues compared with corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, a significant association emerged between NNMT expression and lymph node metastasis. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of NNMT in ESCC cells can significantly suppress cell viability and migration, induce cell cycle arrest, and promote cell apoptosis. In addition, NNMT downregulation led to the reversal o...

Source: Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - July 4, 2019 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Cui Y, Zhang L, Wang W, Ma S, Liu H, Zang X, Zhang Y, Guan F Tags: Mol Cell Biochem Source Type: research