DUSP1 promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating nephronectin expression

Objectives: To explore the role of dual-specific phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods: TCGAandGTEx databaseswere used to investigate the relationship between DUSP1 expression and prognosis of PC patients. Expression efficiency of DUSP1 was validated by qPCR and western blotting. The proliferation of SW1990 and PANC-1 cells with DUSP1 overexpression or knockout was detected by EdU assays. The migratory and invasive abilities of cellswere detected bywound healing and transwell assays. Results: DUSP1 was highly expressed in PC and associated with poor prognosis of patients. Overexpression of DUSP1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of PC cells by regulating nephronectin (NPNT), whereas knockout of DUSP1 exhibited the opposite effects. NPNT expression was positively correlated with DUSP1, and the overall survival of PC patients with high levels of NPNT was shorter. Conclusions: DUSP1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of PC cells by upregulating NPNT, suggesting DUSP1 may be a potential target for PC treatment.