TMEM44-AS1 promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by regulating the IGF2BP2-GPX4 axis in modulating ferroptosis.

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TMEM44-AS1 is a novel lncRNA whose pro-carcinogenic role in gastric cancer and glioma has been demonstrated. However, its function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unknown. In this study, we identified that TMEM44-AS1 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells. Functionally, TMEM44-AS1 promoted ESCC cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. TMEM44-AS1 inhibited ferroptosis in ESCC cells, and ferroptosis levels were significantly increased after knockdown of TMEM44-AS1. Mechanistically, TMEM44-AS1 was positively correlated with GPX4 expression, and TMEM44-AS1 could bind to the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP2 to enhance the stability of GPX4 mRNA, thereby affecting ferroptosis and regulating the malignant progression of ESCC. In summary, this study reveals the TMEM44-AS1-IGF2BP2-GPX4 axis could influence cancer progression in ESCC. TMEM44-AS1 can be used as a potential treatment target against ESCC.