FIGURE 6.

Working model of the PCAF‐mediated acetylation of Fascin at lysine 471 to inhibit tumor cell filopodium formation by impairing its bundling to F‐actin. PCAF functions as a tumor suppressor in ESCC. When the PCAF level is suppressed, Fascin remains in an unacetylated form with strong actin‐bundling activity to promote filopodium formation, leading to cell migration and tumor metastasis. In contrast, increased PCAF levels may result in increased levels of Fascin‐K471 acetylation, further weakening the bundling activity of Fascin to F‐actin and inhibiting filopodium formation and tumor metastasis. Abbreviations: ESCC: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; PCAF: P300/CBP‐associated factor