Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
CBX8 Suppresses Tumor Metastasis via Repressing Snail in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Gang Wang1,2, Jianjun Tang1,3, Weixiang Zhan1
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The poor clinical outcome and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is mainly attributed to its highly invasive and metastatic nature, making it urgent to further elicit the molecular mechanisms of the metastasis of ESCC. The function of each polycomb chromobox (CBX) protein in cancer is cell-type-dependent. Although CBX8 has been reported to promote the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tumorigenesis, its role in ESCC metastasis has not been explored yet. In this study, we report that the inhibition of cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in ESCC requires CBX8-mediated repression of Snail, a key transcription factor that induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and that CBX8 inversely correlated with Snail in the ESCC tissues. Moreover, this novel function of CBX8 is dependent on its binding with the Snail promoter, which in turn suppresses the transcription of Snail. Collectively, CBX8 may play paradoxical roles in ESCC, inhibiting metastasis while promoting cell proliferation.
Insights
Polycomb chromobox 8 (CBX8) inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) metastasis by suppressing Snail transcription. This study reveals CBX8
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has poor prognosis due to high invasiveness and metastasis.
- The role of Polycomb chromobox 8 (CBX8) in ESCC metastasis remains unexplored, despite its known role in tumorigenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of CBX8 in ESCC metastasis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CBX8's role in ESCC progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CBX8 and Snail expression in ESCC tissues.
- Investigation of CBX8's binding to the Snail promoter.
- Assessment of CBX8's effect on cell migration, invasion, and metastasis.
Main Results:
- CBX8 inhibits ESCC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis.
- CBX8 represses Snail, a key inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- CBX8 expression inversely correlates with Snail expression in ESCC tissues.
Conclusions:
- CBX8 plays a critical role in inhibiting ESCC metastasis by repressing Snail transcription.
- CBX8's function in metastasis is mediated by binding to the Snail promoter.
- CBX8 exhibits paradoxical roles in ESCC, potentially inhibiting metastasis while promoting proliferation.
