Overexpression of ATP1B2 promotes cancer cell migration and inhibits apoptosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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The present study aimed to investigate the expression of ATP1B2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its biological effects. A total of 44 patients with ESCC who underwent surgical resection at Taihe Hospital between December 1, 2017 and December 1, 2018 were enrolled. The expression levels of ATP1B2 in cancerous and adjacent normal tissues were assessed. The present study also examined the associations between ATP1B2 expression and clinicopathological features and patient prognosis. The influence of ATP1B2 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle progression and apoptosis was evaluated using the methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl assay, plate cloning, scratch assay and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the effects of ouabain on these cellular processes were investigated. The results demonstrated that patients with high ATP1B2 expression exhibited significantly shorter overall survival than did those with low ATP1B2 expression (37.3 months vs. 43.1 months; Z=7.52; P<0.05). ATP1B2 expression, tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis were significantly associated (P<0.05). Notably, the overexpression of ATP1B2 correlated with reduced survival rates. ATP1B2 knockdown hindered cell migration and induced apoptosis, whereas ATP1B2 overexpression facilitated migration and impeded apoptosis. Ouabain treatment suppressed proliferation and migration in cells overexpressing ATP1B2 and caused cell cycle arrest in the G₁/S phase. In conclusion, ATP1B2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC by enhancing cancer cell migration and reducing apoptosis. Ouabain is a potential targeted therapeutic agent for ESCC.