NF45 promotes esophageal squamous carcinoma cell invasion by increasing Rac1 activity through 14-3-3ε protein.

Nuclear factor 45 (NF-45) has been found to be markedly upregulated in several cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its functions remain unclear. In this study, we confirm that overexpression of NF45 was frequently detected in ESCC tissues and was associated with poor outcome. Overexpression studies revealed that NF-45 promoted cell growth and invasion and upregulated Rac1/Tiam1 signalling via 14-3-3ε protein in ESCC cell lines. This novel mechanism linking upregulated NF45 expression to increased 14-3-3ε/Rac1/Tiam1 signalling and subsequent growth and invasion in ESCC may aid in identification of new therapeutic targets for this disease.