Role of Brg۱ in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective(s): Epigenetic regulation of gene expression can be carried out through chromatin remodeling enzymes such as SWI/SNF. Brg۱ also known as SMARCA۴ is a catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF, which is necessary for MMPs expression. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known as important player enzymes during tumor progression and metastasis. Aberrant epigenetic modification of chromatin should be precisely clarified to reveal probable unknown pathways in ESCC progression. Probable role of Brg۱ in ESCC tumorigenesis and metastasis was studied through the assessment of Brg۱ mRNA expression in KYSE۳۰, and further evaluation about the biology of Brg۱ was performed through the Brg۱ silencing. Materials and Methods: Level of Brg۱ mRNA expression in KYSE۳۰ was compared to normal tissues using the real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, KYSE۳۰ cells were transfected with Brg۱-siRNA to silence the Brg۱. Results: Our results showed for the first time that Brg۱ mRNA expression was increased in KYSE۳۰ cell line (ESCC cell line) compared with normal esophageal tissue of ESCC patients. Rate of transfection in KYSE۳۰ was also between ۴۰ to ۵۰%, using the pSilencer-Brg۱shRNA (۱:۱ ratio). Conclusion: Our data indicated that chromatin remodeling machinery is a novel aspect in tumor biology of ESCC, and overexpression of Brg۱ as an important member of SWI/SNF might be involved in the migration and invasion of ESCC tumoral cells.

Keywords:

Brg۱ , ESCC , MMPs , Metastasis