ABSTRACT
Purpose To investigate the expression and the methylation status of miR-4687-5P and STIM1 gene in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) cell lines and ESCC tissue samples,in order to explore the correlation between miR-4687-5P and STIM1 expression,as well as whether they have a common expression regulation mechanism. Methods The qRTPCR and methylation specific PCR (MSP) methods were applied respectively to examine the expression and methylation of miR-4687-5P and STIM1 genes in ESCC cell lines (TE13, KYSE150,T. Tn) and ESCC samples,and further to analyze their correlation. Results The expression of miR-4687-5P and STIM1 genes in ESCC was significantly decreased,and consistent. The weak expression of miR-4687-5P and STIM1 genes was detected in three ESCC cell lines. After treated with 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-Dc,a demethylation agent) ,the expression levels of these two genes were obviously increased. Meanwhile, the methylation bands were obviously weakened or disappeared. The promoter region of STIM1 gene was hypermethylated in ESCC tissues,and its methylation frequency was correlated with the expression of STIM1 and miR-4687-5P (P < 0. 01) . Conclusion miR-4687-5P and STIM1 genes are down-regulated in esophageal carcinoma,and the expression of miR-4687-5P may be regulated by the promoter of its host gene STIM1,and the hypermethylation may be one of the common mechanisms leading to down-regulatory expression of miR-4687-5P and STIM1 genes in ESCC.