Protocol for KAT8 conditional knockout mice generation and its application in 4NQO-induced esophageal tumor model

Dandan Zhang1, Ming Jiang2, Kangdong Liu3

  • 1China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, China; Institute of Trauma and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450007, China.

STAR Protocols
|February 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study details a protocol for inducing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice using 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO). This method effectively models human carcinogenesis for cancer research.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Carcinogenesis Research
  • Animal Models

Background:

  • 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) is a quinoline derivative known to induce tumors in mice.
  • 4NQO-induced tumorigenesis in mice mimics the multi-stage pattern of human carcinogenesis.
  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a significant human cancer requiring robust animal models for study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a detailed protocol for inducing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice.
  • To establish a reliable 4NQO-induced ESCC model in mice.
  • To validate the efficacy of the induced ESCC model.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) for chemical induction of ESCC in mice.
  • Acquired and employed KAT8 esophagus-specific knockout mice.
  • Validated the established ESCC model using western blotting (WB), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Main Results:

  • Successfully established a 4NQO-induced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) model in mice.
  • Demonstrated the multi-stage carcinogenesis pattern analogous to human ESCC.
  • Validated the model's relevance through molecular and histological analyses.

Conclusions:

  • The presented protocol provides a reproducible method for generating 4NQO-induced ESCC in mice.
  • This model serves as a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms of esophageal carcinogenesis.
  • Further research can leverage this model to explore novel therapeutic strategies for ESCC.