TY - JOUR AB - The present study aimed to investigate the role of partner of NOB1 homolog (PNO1) in esophageal cancer (EC). The expression levels of PNO1 in EC were primarily analyzed using data obtained from databases. PNO1 expression was also knocked down in EC cells (Eca‑109 and TE1) to determine the biological effects of PNO1 on tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. In addition, possible downstream targets of PNO1 in EC were identified. The expression levels of PNO1 were upregulated in the tumor tissues compared with that noted in normal tissues. Moreover, the knockdown (KD) of PNO1 suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the protein expression levels of AKT1, Twist, Myc, mTOR, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), nuclear factor (NF)‑κB p65 and β‑catenin 1 (CTNNB1) were downregulated following the KD of PNO1 in Eca‑109 cells (P<0.05). In addition, the overexpression of CTNNB1 reversed the effects of PNO1 KD in Eca‑109 cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that PNO1 promotes EC progression by regulating AKT1, Twist, Myc, mTOR, MMP2, NF‑κB p65 and CTNNB1 expression. AD - Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, P.R. China Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China AU - Wang,Guowen AU - Li,Qicai AU - Li,Chuankui AU - Duan,Guixin AU - Sang,Haiwei AU - Dong,Haijun AU - Yang,Yifan AU - Ma,Chang AU - Tao,Tao DA - 2021/05/01 DO - 10.3892/or.2021.8036 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Rep KW - partner of NOB1 homolog CTNNB1 esophageal cancer AKT1 cell proliferation PY - 2021 SN - 1021-335X 1791-2431 SP - 85 ST - Knockdown of PNO1 inhibits esophageal cancer progression T2 - Oncology Reports TI - Knockdown of PNO1 inhibits esophageal cancer progression UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2021.8036 VL - 45 ER -