Promoter methylation and clinical significance of GPX3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Pathology, research and practice Vol. 215; no. 11; p. 152676
• Main Authors: Lin, Youbin, Zhang, Ying, Chen, Yelong, Liu, Zhaoyong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Elsevier GmbH 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; DNA Methylation; Down-Regulation; ESCC; Esophageal Neoplasms - metabolism; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma - metabolism; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - physiology; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; GPX3; Humans; IHC; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Survival; Prognosis; GPX3; IHC; Survival; ESCC
• ISSN: 0344-0338; 1618-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.152676

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) provides critical protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Downregulation of GPX3 may contribute to carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the mechanisms are not clear. We examined the differences in gene expression between ESCC and normal esophageal epithelial, by using GEO datasets, and collected 136 ESCC tumors and adjacent normal tissues to confirm our findings. GPX3 expression was measured, at the mRNA and protein levels, by qRT-PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). GPX3 mRNA and protein levels were 3.3-fold higher in normal epithelium compared with case-matched ESCC tissues. There was no significant correlation between clinical parameters and expression levels of GPX3 in ESCC. Promoter methylation of the GPX3 gene correlated with decreased expression. Downregulation of GPX3 might be a key factor in the process of ESCC carcinogenesis.