Expression And Correlation Of DAPK And Its Methylation In Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives:To investigate the methylation status of death associated protein kinase(DAPK)gene promoter and the expression of DAPK protein in cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,combined with various parameters,this study would explore the role of methylation expression of the DAPK gene promoter and its protein expression in the occurrence,development and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:50 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were selected.The methylation-specific PCR(MSP)technique and the immunohistochemically streptavidin-peroxidase ligation(S-P)method were used to detect the methylation expression of the DAPK gene promoter and the expression of DAPK protein in the specimen mentioned above.Results:The methylation rate of DAPK gene promoter in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 66.0%(33/50),while the methylation rate of DAPK gene promoter in corresponding adjacent normal tissues was only 8.0%(4/50).The difference between the two was statistically significant(p=0.021),and the methylation rate in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that in corresponding adjacent normal tissues.The positive expression rate of DAPK protein in methylation tissues was 13.5%(5/37),and that in non-methylated tissues was 73.0%(46/63),and the positive expression rate of DAPK protein in non-methylated tissues was significantly higher than that in methylated tissues,and the difference between the two was statistically significant(p<0.001).Conclusions:The methylation of the DAPK gene promoter can lead to gene inactivation,and can participate in the occurrence and development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.