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Published on: February 6, 2015
DEC2 expression antagonizes cisplatin‑induced apoptosis in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Hidenobu Sato1, Yunyan Wu1, Yukio Kato2
1Department of Pathology and Bioscience, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori 036‑8562, Japan.
Abstract:
Differentiated embryonic chondrocyte expressed gene 1 (DEC1) and differentiated embryonic chondrocyte expressed gene 2 (DEC2) belong to the Hairy/Enhancer of Split subfamily of basic helix‑loop‑helix factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that DEC proteins are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms, response to hypoxia, and tumorigenesis. However, the roles of DEC1 and DEC2 in apoptosis of esophageal carcinoma remain unclear. In the present study, alterations in expression of apoptosis‑related markers in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma TE‑11 cells treated with cisplatin were examined by western blot, while overall cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed by MTS assay and hematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. Following cisplatin treatment, expression of DEC2 was downregulated, whereas expression of DEC1 was upregulated. DEC2 overexpression during cisplatin treatment markedly inhibited expression of the pro‑apoptotic factor Bim and slightly increased the anti‑apoptotic factor Bcl‑xL. However, overexpression of DEC1 during cisplatin treatment failed to affect expression of these markers. Additionally, overexpression of DEC2 improved cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis induced by cisplatin. These results suggested that DEC2 exhibits anti‑apoptotic effects in TE‑11 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Inhibiting DEC2 may therefore have therapeutic potential for the treatment of esophageal cancer, in combination with cisplatin.
Insights
Differentiated embryonic chondrocyte expressed gene 2 (DEC2) inhibits apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells. Overexpressing DEC2 improves cell viability and reduces cisplatin-induced apoptosis, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Differentiated embryonic chondrocyte expressed gene 1 (DEC1) and DEC2 are basic helix-loop-helix factors.
- DEC proteins are implicated in circadian rhythms, hypoxia response, and tumorigenesis.
- The specific roles of DEC1 and DEC2 in esophageal carcinoma apoptosis are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of DEC1 and DEC2 in the apoptosis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma TE-11 cells.
- To determine the effects of DEC1 and DEC2 expression on apoptosis-related markers and cell viability following cisplatin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis to assess apoptosis-related marker expression.
- MTS assay to evaluate overall cell viability.
- Hematoxylin and eosin staining for apoptosis analysis.
Main Results:
- Cisplatin treatment downregulated DEC2 and upregulated DEC1 expression.
- DEC2 overexpression inhibited the pro-apoptotic factor Bim and increased the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-xL.
- DEC2 overexpression enhanced cell viability and reduced cisplatin-induced apoptosis, while DEC1 overexpression had no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- DEC2 exhibits anti-apoptotic effects in TE-11 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.
- Targeting DEC2 may offer therapeutic potential for esophageal cancer treatment, particularly in combination with cisplatin.
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