Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of erythrocyte membrane protein band 4. 1(EPB41) on the malignant phenotype of esophageal cancer cells and explore the possible underlyingmechanisms based on fatty acid oxidation ( FAO) mediated by the Wnt / β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods KYSE30 cells and KYSE150 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into 5groups each. The mRNA and protein expression levels, cell proliferation and migration rate, ATPlevel, NADPH / NADP + ratio, reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and GSH levels were detected. Results In KYSE30 cells, the number of cell clones, cell migration rate, ATP level, NADPH / NADP + ratio, ROS level, and protein expression levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and nuclear β- catenin in cells were significantly increased in the EPB41 siRNA group (P < 0. 05), and fatty acidoxidation inhibitor and Wnt pathway inhibitor could reverse the effect of EPB41. In KYSE150 cells, the number of clones, cell migration rate, ATP level, NADPH / NADP + ratio, ROS level, and the expression levels of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and nuclear β-catenin proteins were significantly reduced in the cells in the EPB41 overexpression group (P < 0. 05), and the effect of EPB41 could be reversed by the fatty acid oxidation inducer and the Wnt pathway activator. Conclusion EPB41 expression is down-regulated in esophageal cancer cells. EPB41 overexpression can inhibit the proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells by suppressing the FAO pathway, which may be achieved by modulating the Wnt / β-catenin signaling transduction.

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