Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 1, 2026

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

7.1K

ZIC1 is a putative tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer by modulating major signaling pathways and transcription factor

Wei Qiang1, Yuan Zhao, Qi Yang

  • 1Department of Endocrinology (W.Q., Q.Y., W.L., S.L., B.S., P.H.), The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi'an 710061, China; Department of Gerontology (Y.Z.), Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an 710068, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism (H.G.), The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; and Center for Translational Medicine (M.J.), The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi'an 710061, China.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|April 2, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

ZIC1 acts as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer, frequently inactivated by promoter hypermethylation. Its restoration inhibits cancer cell growth and metastasis by affecting key signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Genetics

Background:

  • ZIC1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as an oncogene in brain tumors but a tumor suppressor in gastric and colorectal cancers.
  • The function of ZIC1 in thyroid cancer pathogenesis was previously uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biological functions of ZIC1 in thyroid carcinogenesis.
  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying ZIC1's role in thyroid cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative RT-PCR and methylation-specific PCR were employed to assess ZIC1 expression and promoter methylation.
  • Functional assays including cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays were conducted.

Main Results:

  • ZIC1 is frequently downregulated in thyroid cancer tissues and cell lines due to promoter hypermethylation.
  • ZIC1 hypermethylation correlates with lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer.
  • Restoring ZIC1 expression suppressed proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, while inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • ZIC1 functions as a tumor suppressor in thyroid cancer, inactivated by promoter hypermethylation.
  • ZIC1 modulates the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.
  • ZIC1 enhances FOXO3a transcriptional activity, contributing to its tumor-suppressive role.

More Related Videos

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

6.5K
Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis09:38

Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis

Published on: October 16, 2016

18.5K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.3K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

2.6K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
4.9K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

1.7K
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway02:54

Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
8.6K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.0K