POTEE stimulates the proliferation of pancreatic cancer by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling

Abstract To explore the role of POTEE in the malignant development of pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. POTEE levels in pancreatic cancer samples were detected. The relationship between POTEE level and clinical data of pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed. After knockdown of POTEE or treatment of the GSK‐3β inhibitor, proliferative change in pancreatic cancer cells was assessed. Protein levels of vital genes in the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling influenced by POTEE were examined. POTEE was upregulated in pancreatic cancer samples. High level of POTEE indicated advanced tumor staging, large tumor size, and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. Knockdown of POTEE or treatment of Tideglusib remarkably attenuated proliferative ability in pancreatic cancer cells. Vital genes in the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling were downregulated by knockdown of POTEE. POTEE stimulates the proliferative ability in pancreatic cancer by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling. High level of POTEE indicates advanced tumor staging, large tumor size and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.