Suppressing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
The authors used a modified sequencing (ATAC-seq) assay for small quantity of clinical samples and unraveled transcription factor AP-2 beta (TFAP2β) as a key downregulated transcription factor (TF) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
TFAP2β condensation suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by binding and repressing zinc finger protein 131 (ZNF131) promoter transcription and recruiting other key transcription regulators.
The researchers also identified a small molecule A6 that enhances TFAP2β condensation and inhibits ESCC growth in cells, organoids, and mice, highlighting a potential therapeutic approach for ESCC.
