We have previously reported that the expression of esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (<i>Ecrg4</i>) was upregulated in aged NSCs, whereas its overexpression decreased NSC proliferation, suggesting a functional relationship between Ecrg4 and NSC aging.
Furthermore, the effect of Beclin 1 overexpression on cell invasion and apoptosis, changes in the activities of the apoptosis‑associated caspases‑3 and ‑9, and the overexpression of esophageal cancer‑related gene 4 (ECRG4) were examined.
The human c2orf40 gene encodes a candidate tumor suppressor called Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene-4 (ECRG4) that is a cytokine-like epigenetically-regulated protein that is characteristically downregulated in cancer, injury, inflammation, and infection.
The methylation status of ECRG 4 promoter in 20 cases of esophageal cancer and the adjacent normal tissues, 5 human tumor cell lines (esophageal cancer cell line-NEC, EC109, EC9706; gastric cancer cell line- GLC; human embryo kidney cell line-Hek293) and 2 normal esophagus tissues were detected.