AB95. Expression of ZNF139 in gastric cancer and its clinical significance
Lili Wang, Yong Li, Yanli Leng, Qun Zhao, Liqiao Fan, Bibo Tan, Dong Wang, Yu Liu, Zhaoxing Li
Aim and purpose: Zinc finger protein 139 (ZNF139), a member of zinc finger protein family, is a transcription factor. Some members of zinc finger protein family are closely related to tumorigenesis, development, invasion and metastasis. Our previous research showed ZNF139 was overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) cells, which was related to differentiation of GC. The purpose of present study is to investigate the expression of znic finger protein 139 (ZNF139) in GC and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.
Methods: 120 cases of gastric tumor paraffin-embedded specimens and paired tumor-adjacent tissues were collected, and data of clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were also recorded. Expressions of ZNF139, Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspases-3 were determined by immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis index (AI) was tested with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.
Results: Expression level of ZNF139 was stronger in tumors than in tumor-adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Overexpression of ZNF139 was correlated with tumor invasion depth, clinical stages, and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The result also showed that patients with overexpression of ZNF139 had poorer prognosis, and overexpression of ZNF139 was an independent factor for prognosis in COX survival analysis. There was negative relationship between ZNF139 and AI. Expression of Bcl-2 in GC was stronger than in tumor-adjacent tissues, whereas expression of Bax andCaspases-3 was lower in primary tumors than that in tumor-adjacent tissues (all P<0.05). ZNF139 expression was negatively correlated to Caspases-3 (P<0.05), and ZNF139 had no significant correlation to Bcl-2 and Bax (both P>0.05). Expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were negatively correlated (P<0.05) and Caspases-3 had no significant correlation to Bcl-2 and Bax protein (both P>0.05).
Conclusions: ZNF139 was overexpressed in GC, and ZNF139 was related to some clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of GC. ZNF139 may be involved in apoptosis of GC by regulating Caspases-3.
Keywords: Gastric cancer (GC); Znic finger protein 139 (ZNF139); clinicopathological characteristics; prognosis; apoptosis
