Background: SCARA5 may play an important role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials & methods: PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression and promoter methylation of SCARA5. Cell proliferation assays, spheroid culture, flow cytometry analysis, Transwell assays and xenotransplantation tests were utilized to determine the functional effects of SCARA5. RNA-sequencing, western blotting, immunofluorescence and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to assess SCARA5-mediated outcomes. Results: SCARA5 was downregulated by promoter methylation. Overexpression of SCARA5 inhibited cell migration, invasion and proliferation. SCARA5 enhanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell sensitivity to chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. SCARA5 drives tumor apoptosis by downregulating HSPA2. Conclusion: SCARA5 may be a useful clinical marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Keywords: HSPA2; SCARA5; apoptosis; caspase 3; methylation; nasopharyngeal carcinoma.