Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
Functional analysis of ESM1 by shRNA-mediated knockdown of its expression in papillary thyroid cancer cells
Lijun Xie1, Limeng He2, Wei Zhang2
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, P.R. China.
Objective:
Endothelial specific molecule-1 (ESM1) is implicated as an oncogene in multiple human cancers. However, the function of ESM1 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is not well understood. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ESM1 on the growth, migration, and invasion of PTC to provide a novel perspective for PTC treatment.
Methods:
The expression levels of ESM1 in PTC tissues form 53 tumor tissue samples and 59 matching adjacent normal tissue samples were detected by immunohistochemical analysis. Knockdown of ESM1 expression in TPC-1 and SW579 cell lines was established to investigate its role in PTC. Moreover, cell proliferation, apoptosis, wound healing, and transwell assays were conducted in vitro to assess cell proliferation, migration and invasion.
Results:
The findings revealed that ESM1 expression was significantly higher in PTC tissues than that found in paraneoplastic tissues (P<0.0001). Knockdown of ESM1 expression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TPC-1 and SW579 cells in vitro. Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein levels of ESM1 in PTC cells were significantly reduced following knockdown of its expression (P<0.01). In addition, ESM1-knockdown cells indicated decreased proliferation and decreased migratory and invasive activities (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions:
ESM1 was identified as a major gene in the occurrence and progression of PTC, which could increase the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PTC cells. It may be a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target gene.
Insights
Endothelial specific molecule-1 (ESM1) promotes papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) growth and spread. Reducing ESM1 levels inhibited PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, suggesting ESM1 as a potential therapeutic target for PTC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Endothelial specific molecule-1 (ESM1) is recognized as an oncogene in various human cancers.
- The specific role of ESM1 in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains largely unelucidated.
- Understanding ESM1's function in PTC is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ESM1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) cells.
- To explore ESM1 as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for PTC.
- To provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms driving PTC progression.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis was used to quantify ESM1 expression in 53 PTC tissues and 59 adjacent normal tissues.
- ESM1 expression was experimentally reduced (knockdown) in TPC-1 and SW579 PTC cell lines.
- In vitro assays, including proliferation, apoptosis, wound healing, and Transwell assays, were performed to assess cellular behavior.
Main Results:
- ESM1 expression was significantly elevated in PTC tissues compared to normal paraneoplastic tissues (P<0.0001).
- Knockdown of ESM1 significantly reduced PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro (P<0.01 for proliferation and migration, P<0.001 for invasion).
- Successful reduction of ESM1 mRNA and protein levels was confirmed following knockdown (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- ESM1 plays a significant role in the development and progression of papillary thyroid cancer.
- ESM1 overexpression enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of PTC cells.
- ESM1 represents a promising molecular target for both diagnosis and therapy in PTC.
