Long non-coding RNA ESCCAL-1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by down regulating the negative regulator of APOBEC3G

The expression of lncRNA ESCCAL-1 is upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the molecular pathways regulated by ESCCAL-1 in esophageal cancer remain obscure. We found that high expression of the lncRNA ESCCAL-1 in human ESCC tumors correlated with worse clinicopathologic features. Furthermore, depletion of ESCCAL-1 in ESCC models inhibited the cellular processes associated with malignancy, including proliferation, migration and invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and impaired tumor growth in mice. Using a combinatorial approach, we discovered that ESCCAL-1 regulates malignant phenotypes in ESCC by acting as a molecular sponge for miR-590-3p. This interaction prevents miR-590-3p from suppressing APOBEC3G expression. Increased APOBEC3G was also a biomarker of worse clinicopathologic features in human ESCC tumors. Depletion of ESSCAL-1 or APOBEC3G, or overexpression of miR-590-3p resulted in increased apoptosis due to downregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling. This study demonstrates that the lncRNA ESCCAL-1 promotes malignant features of ESCC by relieving the inhibitory effect of miR-590-3p on APOBEC3G expression and identifies potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets to improve ESCC treatment outcomes. •ESCCAL-1 is upregulated in ESCC tissues and it promotes malignant behavior in ESCC.•ESCCAL-1 knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion, but promotes apoptotic of ESCC cells.•ESCCAL-1 positively regulates APOBEC3G by relieving the negative impact of miR-590-3p on APOBEC3G expression.•ESCCAL-1-miR-590-3p-APOBEC3G signaling axis confers resistance to apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt pathway.