NRCAM acts as a prognostic biomarker and promotes the tumor progression in gastric cancer via EMT pathway

Objective: Herein, we purposed to explore the NRCAM expression in gastric cancer (GC) along with its clinical implication. Methods: The TCGA dataset was utilized to analyze the expression coupled with the clinical worthiness of NRCAM in GC. The expressions of NRCAM were examined in clinical GC specimens via qRT-PCR along with western blotting. Moreover, we analyzed the role NRCAM in the progression of GC using flow cytometry, Wound-healing, CCK-8, as well as Transwell assays. EMT markers (E-cadherin, vimentin along with N-cadherin) protein expression were examined via western blotting. Results: TCGA data resource revealed that NRCAM expression in GC tissues is much lower in contrast with normal tissues and patients with higher NRCAM expression showed poorer prognosis. In vitro study revealed that the over-expression NRCAM accelerated cell growth, migration, as well as infiltration while decreasing cell apoptosis but silencing of NRCAM had the opposite effect. Upregulation of NRCAM reduced E-cadherin contents, however elevated vimentin coupled with N-cadherin protein levels in GC cells. Nonetheless, NRCAM downregulation led to the opposite results. Conclusion: According to our findings, NRCAM is an oncogene with the potential to works as a prognostic biomarker and treatment target for GC.

Automated summary

This study explores the expression and clinical significance of NRCAM in gastric cancer. It is found that NRCAM expression is lower in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, and patients with higher NRCAM expression have poorer prognosis. In vitro experiments show that overexpression of NRCAM promotes cell growth, migration, and infiltration while reducing cell apoptosis. Furthermore, upregulation of NRCAM decreases E-cadherin and increases vimentin and N-cadherin protein levels in gastric cancer cells.