Transcription factor NF-YA promotes a malignant phenotype by upregulating fatty acid synthase expression

Recent studies have revealed that increased expression of the alpha subunit of nuclear transcription factor Y (NF‑YA) is associated with the malignant phenotype of various tumors. However, whether elevated expression of NF‑YA promotes a malignant phenotype in osteosarcoma (OS), and the molecular mechanisms underlying this predicted effect is currently unknown. In the present study, small hairpin RNA (shRNA)‑mediated knockdown of endogenous NF‑YA significantly inhibited the migration and invasion capabilities of OS cells in vitro, whereas ectopic expression of NF‑YA increased the migration and invasion capabilities of these cells. In addition, the induction of upregulated NF‑YA expression on the malignant phenotype of OS cells was attenuated by silencing fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression. Furthermore, the expression level of FASN was increased by upregulating NF‑YA, while decreased FASN expression was observed following NF‑YA silencing in OS cells. The results of the present study suggest that NF‑YA may promote a malignant phenotype in OS cells, in part, by activating the FASN signaling pathway, which may represent a promising target for the management of OS.