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Published on: April 12, 2024
Expression analysis of BRUCE protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Somayeh Salehi1, Amir Hossein Jafarian2, Mohammad Mahdi Forghanifard1
1Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is a form of cell death in response to diverse stressful physiological or pathological stimuli. One of the most important gene families involved in apoptosis is inhibitors of apoptosis. As a member of inhibitors of apoptosis, BRUCE can suppress apoptosis and promote cell division. Because esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, as well as other cancer cells, are immortal, our aim in this study was to analyze BRUCE protein expression in ESCC and evaluate its correlation with tumoral clinicopathologic features. Fifty ESCC specimens were examined for BRUCE protein expression using immunohistochemistry. A defined scoring method was applied. BRUCE protein was detected in 82% of tumors. Tumor progression stage and invasion depth correlated significantly with BRUCE protein expression (P=.019 and .005, respectively). Furthermore, association of BRUCE expression with tumor location was near significant (P=.058). The correlation of BRUCE overexpression in ESCC and disease aggressiveness may confirm the importance of BRUCE in ESCC progression and invasiveness. Therefore, BRUCE protein may be a molecular marker for aggressive ESCC and, thus, a potential therapeutic target to inhibit tumor cell progression and invasion.
Insights
BRUCE protein, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is overexpressed in 82% of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tumors. Its expression correlates with advanced tumor stage and invasion depth, suggesting BRUCE as a marker for aggressive ESCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Death Research
Background:
- Apoptosis is a critical cellular process regulated by gene families like inhibitors of apoptosis.
- BRUCE (Bcl-2-like protein 12) is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein that also promotes cell division.
- Cancer cells, including those in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), often exhibit immortality, partly due to dysregulated apoptosis pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of BRUCE protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) specimens.
- To evaluate the correlation between BRUCE protein expression levels and clinicopathological features of ESCC.
- To assess the potential role of BRUCE as a biomarker for ESCC aggressiveness and a therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect and quantify BRUCE protein expression in 50 ESCC tissue specimens.
- A standardized scoring system was utilized to assess BRUCE protein levels.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate BRUCE expression with tumor stage, invasion depth, and location.
Main Results:
- BRUCE protein was detected in 82% of the examined ESCC tumors.
- Significant correlations were observed between higher BRUCE protein expression and advanced tumor progression stage (P=.019) and increased invasion depth (P=.005).
- A near-significant association was found between BRUCE expression and tumor location (P=.058).
Conclusions:
- BRUCE protein overexpression is prevalent in ESCC and is significantly associated with indicators of disease aggressiveness.
- These findings highlight the importance of BRUCE in the progression and invasiveness of ESCC.
- BRUCE may serve as a valuable molecular marker for aggressive ESCC and a potential therapeutic target to impede tumor progression and invasion.
