FOLR1-stabilized β-catenin promotes laryngeal carcinoma progression through EGFR/AKT/GSK-3β pathway

Folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) is overexpressed in numerous epithelial malignancies; however, its role in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that FOLR1 messenger RNA and protein expression levels were higher in LSCC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. Additionally, FOLR1 promoted the proliferation and migration of LSCC cells, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of beta-catenin abolished these effects. Moreover, FOLR1 stabilizes beta-catenin by inhibiting its ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, blocking the interaction between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the EGFR/AKT/glycogen synthase (GSK)3 beta signaling axis both abolished FOLR1's effects on the expression and nuclear aggregation of beta-catenin. In summary, our work reveals a novel mode in which FOLR1 promotes the proliferation and migration of LSCC by enhancing the stability and nuclear translocation of beta-catenin through the EGFR/AKT/GSK3 beta axis.