title: Aquaporin-8 mediates human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cell migration via the EGFR-Erk1/2 pathway.
abstract: Abnormal expression of aquaporins (AQPs) has been reported in several human cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) are associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression and may upregulate AQPs expression. In this study, we investigated acquaporin-8 expression and signaling via epidermal growth factor receptor-extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 in human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells by western blot, immunofluorescence and wound healing (scratch) assays. Our results showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced both Eca-109 migration and AQP8 expression. Wound healing results showed that cell migration was increased by 1.23-1.10-fold at 24 h and 48 h after EGF treatment. AQP8 expression was significantly increased (1.19-fold) at 48 h after EGF treatment in Eca-109. The EGFR kinase inhibitor, PD153035, blocked EGF-induced AQP8 expression and cell migration. AQP8 expression was decreased from 3.65-fold (EGF-treated) to 0.55-fold (PD153035-treated) in Eca-109. Furthermore, the MEK [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/Erk1/2]/Erk1/2 inhibitor U0126 also inhibited EGF-induced AQP8 expression and cell migration. AQP8 expression was decreased from 3.92-fold (EGF-treated) to 1.38-fold (U0126-treated) in Eca-109. In conclusions, EGF induces AQP8 expression and cell migration in Eca-109 cells via the EGFR/Erk1/2 signal transduction pathway.
authors.affiliation: Urumqi General Hospital of Lanzhou Command, PLA Urumqi 830012, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine College of Xinjiang Medical University Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Urumqi General Hospital of Lanzhou Command, PLA Urumqi 830012, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Tuo-Kan
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Talaf
authors.affiliation: Urumqi General Hospital of Lanzhou Command, PLA Urumqi 830012, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D020346:Aquaporins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020346:Aquaporins; C108330:aquaporin 8; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: EGFR; Eca-109; Erk1/2; aquaporin 8; migration