Transcriptome sequencing revealed the gene expression changes in KYSE30 cells upon GJB6 knockdown
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by dismal outcomes, but its molecular pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. To uncover critical driver genes in ESCC, we conducted a functional screen using a CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA library targeting 406 copy number alteration (CNA)-related genes. Among the candidates, gap junction protein beta 6 (GJB6), a major connexin family member, emerged as a tumor suppressor that inhibits malignant phenotypes. Clinically, reduced GJB6 expression significantly correlates with ESCC development and predicts unfavorable outcomes. To figure out the mechanisms underlying GJB6-mediated ESCC pathogenesis, we performed RNA-seq to delineate the downstream regulatory networks by comparing the gene expression profiles between GJB6-knockdown and control cells.