Knockdown of zinc finger protein, X-linked (ZFX) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
ZFX (zinc finger protein, X-linked) gene locus on the human X chromosome is structurally similar to the zinc finger protein, Y-linked gene, which may constitute the primary sex-determining signal. However, the pathological roles of the dysfunction of ZFX gene in human disease such as cancer have not been addressed. Here, we analyzed the expression of ZFX in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissue specimens and found a significant up-regulation compared to corresponding non-tumorous LSCC tissue. Recombinant lentivirus expressing ZFX short hairpin RNA (shZFX) was constructed and infected Hep-2 human LSCC cells. We found that knockdown of ZFX gene resulted in suppression of proliferation and colony-forming ability of Hep-2 cells, and led to S phase cell cycle arrest. In addition, down-regulation of ZFX induced a significant enhancement of cell apoptosis and expression changes of apoptosis-related genes. These results suggest that high expression of ZFX is associated with LSCC progression and knockdown of ZFX may block tumor cell growth mainly by promoting cell apoptosis.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Eastern District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Jugao
J
Fang
Zhenkun
Z
Yu
Meng
M
Lian
Hongzhi
H
Ma
Jun
J
Tai
Luo
L
Zhang
Demin
D
Han
D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015870:Gene Expression; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D059807:S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D000077022:Survivin
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D000077022:Survivin; C062076:zinc finger protein, X-linked; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D020170:Caspase 1