Background

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract, and its poor prognosis is mainly attributed to the occurrence of invasion and metastasis. Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1), as a mRNA regulatory factor, plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors. However, the role of ZBP1 in ESCA is not yet understood.

Aims

This study aims to explore the expression of ZBP1 in ESCA and its role in the development of ESCA.

Methods

Using bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry staining, we detected the expression of ZBP1 in ESCA and normal tissues. The potential mechanism of ZBP1 in ESCA was analyzed from the aspects of genetic mutations, protein interaction networks, and pathway enrichment. We performed functional experiments in vitro to elucidate the effect of ZBP1 on ESCA cells.

Results

ZBP1 was found to be significantly upregulated in ESCA compared to adjacent noncancerous tissues, and its expression is closely related to gender, age, and lymph node metastasis. In ESCA, the genetic variation rate of ZBP1 is 8%, and its expression is positively correlated with immune cell infiltration. The ZBP1 co-expressed gene is mainly involved in processes such as lymph node proliferation and intercellular adhesion. In vitro experiments have confirmed that downregulation of ZBP1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCA cells.

Conclusion

This research proves that downregulation of ZBP1 can inhibit the progression of ESCA. This finding indicates that ZBP1 may be a novel biomarker to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ESCA.

Graphical Abstract

中文翻译：

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食管癌中高表达的 Z-DNA 结合蛋白 1 促进肿瘤生长

背景

食管癌（ESCA）是消化道常见的恶性肿瘤，其预后不良主要归因于侵袭和转移的发生。 Z-DNA结合蛋白1（ZBP1）作为mRNA调控因子，在多种肿瘤的发生、发展中发挥着重要作用。然而，ZBP1 在 ESCA 中的作用尚不清楚。

目标

本研究旨在探讨ZBP1在ESCA中的表达及其在ESCA发生发展中的作用。

方法

通过生物信息学分析和免疫组织化学染色，我们检测了ESCA和正常组织中ZBP1的表达。从基因突变、蛋白质相互作用网络和通路富集等方面分析了ZBP1在ESCA中的潜在机制。我们进行了体外功能实验来阐明 ZBP1 对 ESCA 细胞的影响。

结果

研究发现，与癌旁组织相比，ESCA中ZBP1的表达显着上调，其表达与性别、年龄和淋巴结转移密切相关。在ESCA中，ZBP1的遗传变异率为8%，其表达与免疫细胞浸润呈正相关。 ZBP1共表达基因主要参与淋巴结增殖、细胞间粘附等过程。体外实验证实，下调ZBP1可显着抑制ESCA细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。

结论

该研究证明下调ZBP1可以抑制ESCA的进展。这一发现表明ZBP1可能是改善ESCA诊断和治疗的新型生物标志物。

图形概要