Coexistence of copy number increases of ZNF217 and CYP24A1 in colorectal cancers in a Chinese population

Abstract

Abstract. Evidence suggests that the amplification of chromosome 20q13 is common in colorectal cancers (CRCs). Certain candidate oncogenes located in this region are reported to be associated with tumorigenesis of the gastrointestinal tract. The functional impact of such regions should be extensively investigated in a large number of clinical samples. In this study, 145 CRC samples with matched adjacent normal tissues were collected from a Chinese population for copy number variation (CNV) analysis. Our results showed that both the copy numbers of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) and zinc-finger protein 217 (ZNF217) were amplified in a relatively high percentage of CRC samples (51.1 and 60%, respectively). The mRNA expression levels of both CYP24A1 and ZNF217 were found to have increased in the collected CRC samples as compared to the matched adjacent normal tissues. ZNF217, but not CYP24A1, showed a positive correlation between copy number increases and mRNA overexpression. These findings suggest the potential role of CNVs of certain oncogenes in CRCs.

Cancer CRC: A Comprehensive Cancer Core Transcriptional Regulatory Circuit Resource and Analysis Platform

“…In addition, ZNF217 expression may be a novel prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer (70). The expression of these TFs in different cancers are provided in Figure 4C, and the expression levels of different TFs in corresponding cancers were consistent with previous studies (59,60,65,66,68,69). Next, in Figure S2A, we demonstrate the distribution of cancer-specific core TFs (core TFs that are present only in one cancer type) in cancers.…”

“…Additionally, CEBPA has been identified as a gene with high frequency mutations in hepatocellular adenocarcinoma of the stomach (a type of gastric cancer) (67). Finally, ZNF217 is overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma tissues and is associated with tumor malignant clinicopathological features, which may promote colorectal carcinoma progression by inducing cell migration and invasion (68,69). In addition, ZNF217 expression may be a novel prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer (70).…”

Genomic similarity between gastroesophageal junction and esophageal Barrett's adenocarcinomas

“…These associations generally correlate with the presence of gain of chromosome 20q, a frequent event in EAC [ 32 – 35 ]. Both ZNF217 protein and mRNA tumor expression have been associated with 20q13 copy number for several tumor types [ 36 – 38 ]. Geppert et al .…”

Somatic gene copy number alterations in colorectal cancer: new quest for cancer drivers and biomarkers

“…60,61 Interestingly, ZNF217 and CYP24A1 are located at the same region and both of them can be possible biomarkers for colorectal malignant assessment. 62 Besides, numerous genes located on 20q11 and 20q13 have been implied in CRC, such as O-fucosyltransferase1 (POFUT1) in association with Notch signaling pathway activation and tumorigenesis, 63-65 ribophorin II (RPN2) that regulates programmed cell death regulated by Bcl, 66 pre-mRNA processing factor 6 (PRPF6) homolog involved in cell viability 43 and the zinc-finger protein SNAI1 (20q13.1-q13.2) implied in cell adhesion protein E-cadherin and wnt/β-catenin signaling. 67,68 Other chromosome loci with gene gains in 20q related to CRC contain confirmed oncogenes such as 20q11.23 (SRC and CTNNBL1), 20q11.21-20q11.22 (DNMT3B) and 20q11.22 (DYNLRB1), 26 20q13 (SERPINB5), 69 20q11-13 (SRC, MAFB, TOP1 and GNAS), 70 22q12.3 (APOL6) 71 and 20p11.21 (ABHD12).…”