Esophageal cancer related gene 4 induced block of esophageal cancer cells in G1 phase by p53 pathway

Abstract

Objective To investigate the tumor-suppressing function and mechanism of esophageal cancer related gene 4(ECRG4)in esophageal carcinoma. Methods The ECRG4 gene expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-ECRG4 was constructed, and the EC9706 cell line with ECRG4 gene stable transfection was achieved. The effect of ECRG4 gene over-expression on esophageal cancer cells proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo was studied by cell growth curves and tumor formation in nude mice experiments. The cell cycle change was examined by flow cytometry. The cell cycle regulation genes p53 and p21 protein expression changes were detected by Western blotting. Results The esophageal cancer cells proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were decreased in ECRG4 over- expression group,and the in vivo tumor growth inhibition rate was 48.5%,as compared with empty plasmid control group(P<0.05).ECRG4 over- expression induced block of esophageal cancer cells in G1 phase as compared with empty plasmid control group(P< 0.05).The p53 and p21 protein expression was increased in ECRG4 over- expression group as compared with empty plasmid control group(P<0.05). Conclusion ECRG4 induced block of esophageal cancer cells in G1 phase by p53 pathway. Key words: Esophageal cancer related gene 4; p53; p21; Esophageal cancer