ECRG1, a novel esophageal gene, cloned and identified from human esophagus and its inhibition effect on tumors.
ECRG-1 (esophageal cancer-related gene 1) has been previously found to be down-regulated in human esophagus cancer. Transient expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged ECRG1 showed plasma membrane localization. Treatment of esophagus cancer cell line (NEC) with ECRG-1 fusion protein and over-expression of ECRG-1 in NEC cells can significantly reduce the in vitro proliferation rate of NEC cells. Treatment of established NEC tumors in the nude mice with ECRG-1 fusion protein leads to decreased tumor weight and volume. Over-expression of ECRG-1 in NEC cells can also inhibit tumor formation in nude mice. Cell-cycle analysis showed that over-expression of ECRG-1 in NEC cells results in G(2)/M phase arrest. Our findings indicate that ECRG1 may be a candidate tumor suppressor gene for esophageal cancer (EC) involved in cell-cycle control. Since ECRG-1 gene significantly suppresses the growth of NEC cells both in vitro and in vivo, its loss may contribute to the causation and progression of the EC in Lin-xian county, which is a high incidence area of EC in China.
Yueying
Wang
W
Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College 100021, China.
Jianbo
Wang
W
Hailin
Liu
L
Huaijing
Tang
T
Liping
Guo
G
Shih-Hsin
Lu
L
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D057057:Serine Proteases
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C446704:TMPRSS11A protein, human; D057057:Serine Proteases