The role of NRAGE subcellular location and epithelial–mesenchymal transition on radiation resistance of esophageal carcinoma cell

Background: Neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE homolog (NRAGE) has been considered as a tumor suppressor. In the previous study, we established human esophageal carcinoma resistance cell line TE13R120 and found the difference of NRAGE expression between TE13 and TE13R120 cells by gene microarray. Herein, we further discuss the possible molecular mechanism of NRAGE on participating the radiation sensitivity of esophageal carcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: We used colony formation assay to measure the surviving fraction and relevant radiobiological parameters. NRAGE expression was estimated by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β) was used for inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TE13 cells to detect the relationship between NRAGE and EMT; the capacity of cell migration was also assessed by wound healing assay. Results: TE13R120 cells were showed significantly radioresistance compared with TE13. The D0, Dq, and N value of TE13R120 were all higher than those of TE13 (2.499, 1.991, and 2.219 vs. 2.242, 0.854, and 1.645), as well as SF2 (0.734 vs. 0.538). Results of immunofluorescences showed that NRAGE was mainly expressed in the nucleus of TE13R120 cells, but in TE13 cells, it was mainly in cytoplasm. In addition, EMT phenotype was observed in TE13R120 cells and TGF-β-induced EMT in TE13 cells, E-cadherin expression was decreased, but vimentin was upregulated. Furthermore, TE13 cells have a rising tendency in NRAGE nucleus expression after treatment with TGF-β. Results of wound healing assay showed that the cell migration of TE13R120 and TGF-β-induced EMT in TE13 cells were remarkably enhanced. Conclusions: Our results indicate that NRAGE subcellular localization is related to radiation resistance of esophageal carcinoma cell and EMT may be involved in NRAGE subcellular location.