Characterization of ?Np73 expression and regulation in gastric and esophageal tumors.
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ABSTRACT: p73 is a member of the p53 protein family. Although the tumor suppressor function of p53 is clearly defined, the role of p73 in tumorigenesis is still a matter of debate. A complex pattern of expression of p73 isoforms makes it difficult to unambiguously interpret the experimental results. Previously, we along with others have found that the N-terminally truncated isoform of p73, ?Np73, has potent anti-apoptotic and oncogenic properties in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we analyzed, for the first time, the regulation of ?Np73 in a large number of gastric, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal tumors. We found that expression of ?Np73 mRNA and protein is increased in these neoplasms. Furthermore, the upregulation of the ?Np73 protein is significantly associated with poor patient survival. Oncogenic properties of ?Np73 were further confirmed by finding that ?Np73 facilitates anchorage-independent growth of gastric epithelial cells in soft agar. As little is currently known about the regulation of ?Np73 transcription, we investigated the alternative p73 gene promoter that mediates the ?Np73 expression. Analyzing the ?Np73 promoter in silico as well as by using chromatin immunoprecipitation, site-directed mutagenesis and deletion analyses, we identified the evolutionary conserved region within the ?Np73 promoter that contains binding sites for HIC1 (hypermethylated in cancer) protein. We found that HIC1 negatively regulates ?Np73 transcription in mucosal epithelial cells. This leads to a decrease in ?Np73 protein levels and may normally control the oncogenic potential of the ?Np73 isoform.
SUBMITTER: Vilgelm AE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4152004 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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