The 19q13 KRAB Zinc-finger protein ZFP82 suppresses the growth and invasion of esophageal carcinoma cells through inhibiting NF-κB transcription and inducing apoptosis.

AIM: To study the epigenetic alternations and biological functions of ZFP82 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Analysis of ZFP82 expression was carried out by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell function was tested by MTS cell proliferation assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry. Gene mechanisms were studied by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative real-time PCR, luciferase reporter assay and Western blot.

RESULTS: ZFP82 promoter methylation was downregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. ZFP82 ectopic expression suppressed cell function and regulated NF-κB phosphorylation and genes involved in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, ZFP82 methylation was correlated with age, tumor stage and outcome.

CONCLUSION: ZFP82 is a tumor suppressor and is disrupted by promoter CpG methylation during esophageal carcinogenesis.