Effects of ME3 on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Abstract

Malic enzyme 3 (ME3) aberrant expression contributes to the development of human malignancies. ME3 expression was higher in pancreatic cancer tissues than that in non-tumor tissues, and patients with higher ME3 levels had significantly shorter survival than those with lower levels analyzed by of Badea and TCGA databases. Further, the abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells were inhibited by ME3 knockdown and were promoted by ME3 overexpression. Meanwhile, ME3 can promote EMT in pancreatic cancer cells possibly by regulation of TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, ME3 is extensively involved in carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer and may become a new candidate target for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.