HMGCR is necessary for the tumorigenecity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and is regulated by Myc

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme of mevalonate pathway, has been involved in the tumorigenesis of several tumor types. Our previous study has showed that statin, the inhibitor of HMGCR, inhibited the tumorigenecity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in vitro and in vivo. However, the function of HMGCR in the carcinogenesis of ESCC cells remains unknown. In this study, we have observed the up-regulation of HMGCR in ESCC tissues compared with the paired normal tissues. Over-expression of HMGCR in ESCC cells promoted cell growth and migration, while knockdown of the expression of HMGCR inhibited the growth, migration and colony formation of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that oncogene Myc positively regulated the expression of HMGCR. Taken together, our study revealed the pivotal function of HMGCR and mevalonate pathway in the progression of ESCC and supported the clinical application of statin.