Fig. 4.

The binding between ERp44 with ACLY was critical for ERp44-mediated regulation of NPC metastasis. a, b Transwell migration assay showed that downregulating the expression of ACLY could inhibit the migration of NPC cells. The migrated cells were less in ACLY-wt cells co-transfected with ERp44 Δ1 cells compared with that in wild-type cells or Δ2 mutant cells. c, d Wound-healing assay showed cells treated with ERp44 Δ1 migrated slower than other two groups. Representative images of cells migration were shown at 0 and 24 h with a microscope. The relative migrated width was calculated by the wound width/the distance measured at 0 h. The histogram showed the relative distance of wound. e Western blot showed that when ACLY was downregulated, E-cadherin was increased, whereas vimentin was reduced. The histogram showed the expression of E-cadherin or Vimentin relative to ACTB. f Western blot showed that when co-transfected ACLY-wt cells with wild- type ERp44, ERp44 Δ1or ERp44 Δ2 mutant cells, only ERp44 Δ1 could increase the expression of E-cadherin and decrease Vimentin. The histogram showed the expression of proteins relative to ACTB. All experiments were repeated three times. Data represent mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05