RPL26 variants: A rare cause of Diamond-Blackfan anemia syndrome with multiple congenital anomalies at the forefront.

PURPOSE: Diamond-Blackfan anemia syndrome (DBS) is a rare congenital disorder originally characterized by bone marrow failure with or without various congenital anomalies. At least 24 genes are implicated, the vast majority encoding for ribosomal proteins. RPL26 (ribosomal protein L26) is an emerging candidate (DBA11, MIM#614900). We aim to further delineate this rare condition. METHODS: Patients carrying heterozygous RPL26 variants were recruited. In one of them, erythroid proliferation and differentiation from peripheral blood CD34+ cells were studied by flow cytometry, and RPL26 expression by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. RESULTS: We report on 8 affected patients from 4 families. Detailed phenotyping reveals that RPL26 is mainly associated with multiple congenital anomalies (particularly radial ray anomalies), albeit with variable expression. Mandibulofacial dysostosis and neural tube defects are potential features in DBA11, expanding the growing list of DBS abnormalities. In 1 individual, we showed that RPL26 haploinsufficiency was responsible for subclinical impairment in erythroid proliferation and enucleation. The absence of hematological involvement in 4 adults from this series contributes to the mounting evidence that bone marrow failure is not universally central to all DBS genes. CONCLUSION: We confirm RPL26 as a DBS gene and expand the phenotypic spectrum of the gene and the disease.

Functional characterization vs in silico prediction for TBX5 missense and splice variants in Holt-Oram syndrome.

PURPOSE: Predicting effects of genomic variants has become a real challenge in the diagnosis of rare human diseases. Holt-Oram syndrome is an autosomal condition characterized by the association of radial and heart defects, due to variants in TBX5. Most variants are predicted to be truncating and result in haploinsufficiency. The pathogenicity of missense or splice variants is harder to demonstrate. METHODS: Fourteen TBX5 variants of uncertain significance (5 missense, 9 splice) and 6 likely pathogenic missense variants were selected for functional testing, depending on the variant-type (immunolocalization, western blot, reporter assays, minigene splice assays, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Results were compared with in silico predictions. RESULTS: Functional tests allowed to reclassify 9/14 variants of uncertain significance in TBX5 as likely pathogenic, confirming their role in Holt-Oram syndrome. We demonstrated loss of function (n = 8) or gain of function (n = 1) for 9 of the 11 missense variants, whereas no functional impact was shown for the 2 variants: p.(Gly195Ala) and p.(Ser261Cys), as suggested by contradictory predictions of in silico approaches. Of 9 splice variants predicted to affect splicing by SpliceAI, we observed partial or complete exon skipping (n = 6), intron retention (n = 2) or exon shortening (n = 1), inducing frame shifting with premature stop codons. CONCLUSION: Bioinformatic and biological approaches are complementary, together with a good knowledge of clinical conditions, for accurate American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics classification in human rare diseases.

PLS3 missense variants affecting the actin-binding domains cause X-linked congenital diaphragmatic hernia and body-wall defects.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common and genetically heterogeneous structural birth defect associated with high mortality and morbidity. We describe eight unrelated families with an X-linked condition characterized by diaphragm defects, variable anterior body-wall anomalies, and/or facial dysmorphism. Using linkage analysis and exome or genome sequencing, we found that missense variants in plastin 3 (PLS3), a gene encoding an actin bundling protein, co-segregate with disease in all families. Loss-of-function variants in PLS3 have been previously associated with X-linked osteoporosis (MIM: 300910), so we used in silico protein modeling and a mouse model to address these seemingly disparate clinical phenotypes. The missense variants in individuals with CDH are located within the actin-binding domains of the protein but are not predicted to affect protein structure, whereas the variants in individuals with osteoporosis are predicted to result in loss of function. A mouse knockin model of a variant identified in one of the CDH-affected families, c.1497G>C (p.Trp499Cys), shows partial perinatal lethality and recapitulates the key findings of the human phenotype, including diaphragm and abdominal-wall defects. Both the mouse model and one adult human male with a CDH-associated PLS3 variant were observed to have increased rather than decreased bone mineral density. Together, these clinical and functional data in humans and mice reveal that specific missense variants affecting the actin-binding domains of PLS3 might have a gain-of-function effect and cause a Mendelian congenital disorder.

Performance of meta-predictors for the classification of MED13L missense variations, implication of raw parameters.

MED13L syndrome is a rare congenital disorder comprising moderate intellectual disability, hypotonia and facial dysmorphism. Whole exome or genome sequencing in patients with non-specific neurodevelopmental disorders leads to identification of an increasing number of MED13L missense variations of unknown signification. The aim of our study was to identify relevant annotation parameters enhancing discrimination between candidate pathogenic or neutral missense variations, and to assess the performance of seven meta-predictor algorithms: BayesDel, CADD, DANN, FATHMM-XF, M-CAP, MISTIC and REVEL for the classification of MED13L missense variants. Significant differences were identified for five parameters: global conservation through verPhyloP and verPhCons scores; physico-chemical difference between amino acids estimated by Grantham scores; conservation of residues between MED13L and MED13 protein; proximity to phosphorylation sites for pathogenic variations. Among the seven selected in-silico tools, BayesDel, REVEL, and MISTIC provided the most interesting performances to discriminate pathogenic from neutral missense variations. Individual gene parameter studies with MED13L have provided expertise on elements of annotation improving meta-predictor choices. The in-silico approach allows us to make valuable hypotheses to predict the involvement of these amino acids in MED13L pathogenic missense variations.

The EGF Domains of MUC4 Oncomucin Mediate HER2 Binding Affinity and Promote Pancreatic Cancer Cell Tumorigenesis.

The HER2 receptor and its MUC4 mucin partner form an oncogenic complex via an extracellular region of MUC4 encompassing three EGF domains that promotes tumor progression of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. However, the molecular mechanism of interaction remains poorly understood. Herein, we decipher at the molecular level the role and impact of the MUC4EGF domains in the mediation of the binding affinities with HER2 and the PC cell tumorigenicity. We used an integrative approach combining in vitro bioinformatic, biophysical, biochemical, and biological approaches, as well as an in vivo study on a xenograft model of PC. In this study, we specified the binding mode of MUC4EGF domains with HER2 and demonstrate their "growth factor-like" biological activities in PC cells leading to stimulation of several signaling proteins (mTOR pathway, Akt, and ß-catenin) contributing to PC progression. Molecular dynamics simulations of the MUC4EGF/HER2 complexes led to 3D homology models and identification of binding hotspots mediating binding affinity with HER2 and PC cell proliferation. These results will pave the way to the design of potential MUC4/HER2 inhibitors targeting the EGF domains of MUC4. This strategy will represent a new efficient alternative to treat cancers associated with MUC4/HER2 overexpression and HER2-targeted therapy failure as a new adapted treatment to patients.

Genetic predisposition to neural crest-derived tumors: revisiting the role of KIF1B.

OBJECTIVE: We previously described a family in which predisposition to pheochromocytoma (PCC) segregates with a germline heterozygous KIF1B nucleotide variant (c.4442G>A, p.Ser1481Asn) in three generations. During the clinical follow-up, one proband's brother, negative for the KIF1B nucleotide variant, developed a bilateral PCC at 31 years. This prompted us to reconsider the genetic analysis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Germline DNA was analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a multi-gene panel plus MLPA or by whole exome sequencing (WES). Tumor-derived DNA was analyzed by SnapShot, Sanger sequencing or NGS to identify loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) or additional somatic mutations. RESULTS: A germline heterozygous variant of unknown significance in MAX (c.145T>C, p.Ser49Pro) was identified in the proband's brother. Loss of the wild-type MAX allele occurred in his PCCs thus demonstrating that this variant was responsible for the bilateral PCC in this patient. The proband and her affected grandfather also carried the MAX variant but no second hit could be found at the somatic level. No other pathogenic mutations were detected in 36 genes predisposing to familial PCC/PGL or familial cancers by WES of the proband germline. Germline variants detected in other genes, TFAP2E and TMEM214, may contribute to the multiple tumors of the proband. CONCLUSION: In this family, the heritability of PCC is linked to the MAX germline variant and not to the KIF1B germline variant which, however, may have contributed to the occurrence of neuroblastoma (NB) in the proband.

Mandibular-pelvic-patellar syndrome is a novel PITX1-related disorder due to alteration of PITX1 transactivation ability.

PITX1 is a homeobox transcription factor essential for hindlimb morphogenesis. Two PITX1-related human disorders have been reported to date: PITX1 ectopic expression causes Liebenberg syndrome, characterized by malformation of upper limbs showing a "lower limb" appearance; PITX1 deletions or missense variation cause a syndromic picture including clubfoot, tibial hemimelia, and preaxial polydactyly. We report two novel PITX1 missense variants, altering PITX1 transactivation ability, in three individuals from two unrelated families showing a distinct recognizable autosomal dominant syndrome, including first branchial arch, pelvic, patellar, and male genital abnormalities. This syndrome shows striking similarities with the Pitx1-/- mouse model. A partial phenotypic overlap is also observed with Ischiocoxopodopatellar syndrome caused by TBX4 haploinsufficiency, and with the phenotypic spectrum caused by SOX9 anomalies, both genes being PITX1 downstream targets. Our study findings expand the spectrum of PITX1-related disorders and suggest a common pattern of developmental abnormalities in disorders of the PITX1-TBX4-SOX9 signaling pathway.

WNT10B variants in split hand/foot malformation: Report of three novel families and review of the literature.

Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a genetically heterogeneous congenital limb malformation typically limited to a defect of the central rays of the autopod, presenting as a median cleft of hands and feet. It can be associated with long bone deficiency or included in more complex syndromes. Among the numerous genetic causes, WNT10B homozygous variants have been recently identified in consanguineous families, but remain still rarely described (SHFM6; MIM225300). We report on three novel SHFM families harboring WNT10B variants and review the literature, allowing us to highlight some clinical findings. The feet are more severely affected than the hands and there is a frequent asymmetry without obvious side-bias. Syndactyly of third-fourth fingers was a frequent finding (62%). Polydactyly, which was classically described in SHFM6, was only present in 27% of patients. No genotype-phenotype correlation is delineated but heterozygous individuals might have mild features of SHFM, suggesting a dose-effect of the WNT10B loss-of-function.

A Novel Rare Missense Variation of the NOD2 Gene: Evidencesof Implication in Crohn's Disease.

The NOD2 gene, involved in innate immune responses to bacterial peptidoglycan, has been found to be closely associated with Crohn's Disease (CD), with an Odds Ratio ranging from 3⁻36. Families with three or more CD-affected members were related to a high frequency of NOD2 gene variations, such as R702W, G908R, and 1007fs, and were reported in the EPIMAD Registry. However, some rare CD multiplex families were described without identification of common NOD2 linked-to-disease variations. In order to identify new genetic variation(s) closely linked with CD, whole exome sequencing was performed on available subjects, comprising four patients in two generations affected with Crohn's disease without R702W and G908R variation and three unaffected related subjects. A rare and, not yet, reported missense variation of the NOD2 gene, N1010K, was detected and co-segregated across affected patients. In silico evaluation and modelling highlighted evidence for an adverse effect of the N1010K variation with regard to CD. Moreover, cumulative characterization of N1010K and 1007fs as a compound heterozygous state in two, more severe CD family members strongly suggests that N1010K could well be a new risk factor involved in Crohn's disease genetic susceptibility.

Holt-Oram syndrome: clinical and molecular description of 78 patients with TBX5 variants.

Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterised by the association of congenital heart defect (CHD), with or without rhythm disturbances and radial defects, due to TBX5 variants. The diagnosis is challenged by the variability of expression and the large phenotypic overlap with other conditions, like Okihiro syndrome, TAR syndrome or Fanconi disease. We retrospectively reviewed 212 patients referred for suspicion of HOS between 2002 and 2014, who underwent TBX5 screening. A TBX5 variant has been identified in 78 patients, representing the largest molecular series ever described. In the cohort, 61 met the previously described diagnostic criteria and 17 have been considered with an uncertain HOS diagnosis. A CHD was present in 91% of the patients with a TBX5 variant, atrial septal defects being the most common (61.5%). The genotype-phenotype study highlights the importance of some critical features in HOS: the septal characteristic of the CHD, the bilateral and asymmetric characteristics of the radial defect and the presence of shoulder or elbow mobility defect. Besides, 21 patients presented with an overlapping condition. Among them, 13 had a typical HOS presentation. We discuss the strategies that could be adopted to improve the molecular delineation of the remaining typical patients.

Cerebellar hypoplasia with endosteal sclerosis is a POLR3-related disorder.

CHES (cerebellar hypoplasia with endosteal sclerosis) syndrome (OMIM#213002) associates hypomyelination, cerebellar atrophy, hypogonadism and hypodontia. So far, only five patients have been described. The condition is of neonatal onset. Patients have severe psychomotor delay and moderate to severe intellectual disability. Inheritance is assumed to be autosomal recessive due to recurrence in sibs, consanguinity of parents and absence of vertical transmission. CHES syndrome is reminiscent of 4H-leukodystrophy, a recessive-inherited affection due to variations in genes encoding subunits of the RNA polymerase III (POLR3A-POLR3B-POLR1C). POLR3B variants have been identified in one CHES patient. Here we report on a novel CHES patient, carrying compound heterozygous variations in POLR3B. This report confirms affiliation of CHES to POLR3-related disorders and suggests that CHES syndrome represents a severe form of 4H-leukodystrophy.

Blepharocheilodontic syndrome is a CDH1 pathway-related disorder due to mutations in CDH1 and CTNND1.

PURPOSE: Blepharocheilodontic (BCD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by eyelid malformations, cleft lip/palate, and ectodermal dysplasia. The molecular basis of BCD syndrome remains unknown. METHODS: We recruited 11 patients from 8 families and performed exome sequencing for 5 families with de novo BCD syndrome cases and targeted Sanger sequencing in the 3 remaining families. RESULTS: We identified five CDH1 heterozygous missense mutations and three CTNND1 heterozygous truncating mutations leading to loss-of-function or haploinsufficiency. Establishment of detailed genotype-phenotype correlations was not possible because of the size of the cohort; however, the phenotype seems to appear more severe in case of CDH1 mutations. Functional analysis of CDH1 mutations confirmed their deleterious impact and suggested accelerated E-cadherin degradation. CONCLUSION: Mutations in CDH1 encoding the E-cadherin were previously reported in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer as well as in nonsyndromic cleft lip/palate. Mutations in CTNND1 have never been reported before. The encoded protein, p120ctn, prevents E-cadherin endocytosis and stabilizes its localization at the cell surface. Conditional deletion of Cdh1 and Ctnnd1 in various animal models induces features reminiscent of BCD syndrome and underlines critical role of the E-cadherin-p120ctn interaction in eyelid, craniofacial, and tooth development. Our data assert BCD syndrome as a CDH1 pathway-related disorder due to mutations in CDH1 and CTNND1 and widen the phenotypic spectrum of E-cadherin anomalies.Genet Med advance online publication 09 March 2017.

Galectin-3 is a non-classic RNA binding protein that stabilizes the mucin MUC4 mRNA in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.

Pancreatic cancer cells express high levels of MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16 mRNAs that encode membrane-bound mucins. These mRNAs share unusual features such as a long half-life. However, it remains unknown how mucin mRNA stability is regulated. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an endogenous lectin playing important biological functions in epithelial cells. Gal-3 is encoded by LGALS3 which is up-regulated in pancreatic cancer. Despite the absence of a RNA-recognition motif, Gal-3 interacts indirectly with pre-mRNAs in the nucleus and promotes constitutive splicing. However a broader role of Gal-3 in mRNA fate is unexplored. We report herein that Gal-3 increases MUC4 mRNA stability through an intermediate, hnRNP-L which binds to a conserved CA repeat element in the 3'UTR in a Gal-3 dependent manner and also controls Muc4 mRNA levels in epithelial tissues of Gal3-/- mice. Gal-3 interacts with hnRNP-L in the cytoplasm, especially during cell mitosis, but only partly associates with protein markers of P-Bodies or Stress Granules. By RNA-IP plus RNA-seq analysis and imaging, we demonstrate that Gal-3 binds to mature spliced MUC4 mRNA in the perinuclear region, probably in hnRNP-L-containing RNA granules. Our findings highlight a new role for Gal-3 as a non-classic RNA-binding protein that regulates MUC4 mRNA post-transcriptionally.

Multiple HABP2 variants in familial papillary thyroid carcinoma: Contribution of a group of "thyroid-checked" controls.

A heterozygous germline variant in the HABP2 gene c.1601G > A (p.Gly534Glu), which negatively impacts its tumor suppressive activity in vitro, has been described in 4-14% of kindreds of European-American ancestry with familial papillary thyroid carcinoma (fPTC). But it is also found in ≈4% of Europeans and European/Americans from public databases that, however, did not provide information on the thyroid function of the controls. To get unbiased results, we decided to compare HABP2 genotypes of patients with fPTC with those of "thyroid-checked" controls. A control group consisting of 136 European patients who were thyroidectomised for medullary thyroid carcinoma and devoid of any histologically detectable PTC or follicular-deriving carcinoma was built. In parallel we recruited 20 patients with fPTC from eleven independent European kindreds. The entire coding region of HABP2 was analyzed by Sanger sequencing the germline DNAs of patients. Nucleotide variants were searched for by Snap Shot analysis in the controls. Two variants, c.1601G > A (p.Gly534Glu) and c.364C > T (p.Arg122Trp), were found in 2 and 3 patients at the heterozygous level respectively (minor allele frequency (MAF): 5.0% and 7.5%, respectively). In controls, the MAF was either similar for the c.1601G > A HABP2 variant (2.94%, ns) or significantly lower for the c.364C > T variant (0.73%, p = 0.016). The Arg122 residue lies in the EGF-3 domain of HABP2 which is important for its activation but, however, superposition of the predicted 3D structures of the wild type and mutated proteins suggests that this variant is tolerated at the protein level. In conclusion, our data do not support the pathogenicity of the HABP2 c.1601G > A variant but highlight the existence of a new one that should be more extensively searched for in fPTC patients and its pathogenicity more carefully evaluated.

The Subjective Experience of Patients Diagnosed with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: a Qualitative Study.

The aim of the present study was to understand the context and psychological impact for patients diagnosed with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 patients affected by HHT, and the transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results of this study allowed us to propose a new hypothesis to explain the delay in diagnosis: the trivialization of symptoms associated with HHT. Moreover, the results showed that a genetic diagnosis of HHT results in emotional shock, uncertainty about the future, and worry about one's children in parents who are confronted with the dilemma of facing the reality of the diagnosis or delaying dealing with the diagnosis until disease onset. Family and personal perceptions of the disease influenced not only the delay in diagnosis but also the emotional and behavioral reactions of patients following a genetic diagnosis.

Sqt1p is an eight-bladed WD40 protein.

Ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes is a complex and highly orchestrated process involving more than 200 accessory factors in addition to ribosomal RNAs and ribosomal proteins. Among the many factors involved, Sqt1p has been reported to specifically bind to uL16 and to act as a chaperone. The crystal structure of full-length Sqt1p from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been solved at 3.35 Šresolution. A SAD experiment at the Se K edge and an S-SAD experiment on the same selenomethionine-substituted protein crystal allowed unambiguous positioning of the selenomethionine and Cys residues. On the basis of the atomic structure of Sqt1p, the potential residues involved in uL16 interaction were identified and tested.

Membrane-bound mucin modular domains: from structure to function.

Mucins belong to a heterogeneous family of large O-glycoproteins composed of a long peptidic chain called apomucin on which are linked hundreds of oligosaccharidic chains. Among mucins, membrane-bound mucins are modular proteins and have a structural organization usually containing Pro/Thr/Ser-rich O-glycosylated domains (PTS), EGF-like and SEA domains. Via these modular domains, the membrane-bound mucins participate in cell signalling and cell interaction with their environment in normal and pathological conditions. Moreover, the recent knowledge of these domains and their biological activities led to the development of new therapeutic approaches involving mucins. In this review, we show 3D structures of EGF and SEA domains. We also describe the functional features of the evolutionary conserved domains of membrane-bound mucins and discuss consequences of splice events.

The mucin MUC4 and its membrane partner ErbB2 regulate biological properties of human CAPAN-2 pancreatic cancer cells via different signalling pathways.

The mucin MUC4 and its membrane partner the ErbB2 oncogenic receptor are potential interacting partners in human pancreatic tumour development. However, the way they function is still largely unknown. In this work, we aimed to identify the cellular mechanisms and the intracellular signalling pathways under the control of both ErbB2 and MUC4 in a human pancreatic adenocarcinomatous cell line. Using co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down, we show that MUC4 and ErbB2 interact in the human pancreatic adenocarcinomatous cell line CAPAN-2 via the EGF domains of MUC4. Stable cell clones were generated in which either MUC4 or ErbB2 were knocked down (KD) by a shRNA approach. Biological properties of these cells were then studied in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that ErbB2-KD cells are more apoptotic and less proliferative (decreased cyclin D1 and increased p27kip1 expression) while migration and invasive properties were not altered. MUC4-KD clones were less proliferative with decreased cyclin D1 expression, G1 cell cycle arrest and altered ErbB2/ErbB3 expression. Their migration properties were reduced whereas invasive properties were increased. Importantly, inhibition of ErbB2 and MUC4 expression did not impair the same signalling pathways (inhibition of MUC4 expression affected the JNK pathway whereas that of ErbB2 altered the MAPK pathway). Finally, ErbB2-KD and MUC4-KD cells showed impaired tumour growth in vivo. Our results show that ErbB2 and MUC4, which interact physically, activate different intracellular signalling pathways to regulate biological properties of CAPAN-2 pancreatic cancer cells.

Structural activation of the transcriptional repressor EthR from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by single amino acid change mimicking natural and synthetic ligands.

Ethionamide is an antituberculous drug for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This antibiotic requires activation by the monooxygenase EthA to exert its activity. Production of EthA is controlled by the transcriptional repressor EthR, a member of the TetR family. The sensitivity of M. tuberculosis to ethionamide can be artificially enhanced using synthetic ligands of EthR that allosterically inactivate its DNA-binding activity. Comparison of several structures of EthR co-crystallized with various ligands suggested that the structural reorganization of EthR resulting in its inactivation is controlled by a limited portion of the ligand-binding-pocket. In silico simulation predicted that mutation G106W may mimic ligands. X-ray crystallography of variant G106W indeed revealed a protein structurally similar to ligand-bound EthR. Surface plasmon resonance experiments established that this variant is unable to bind DNA, while thermal shift studies demonstrated that mutation G106W stabilizes EthR as strongly as ligands. Proton NMR of the methyl regions showed a lesser contribution of exchange broadening upon ligand binding, and the same quenched dynamics was observed in apo-variant G106W. Altogether, we here show that the area surrounding Gly106 constitutes the molecular switch involved in the conformational reorganization of EthR. These results also shed light on the mechanistic of ligand-induced allosterism controlling the DNA binding properties of TetR family repressors.

The MUC4 membrane-bound mucin regulates esophageal cancer cell proliferation and migration properties: Implication for S100A4 protein.

MUC4 is a membrane-bound mucin known to participate in tumor progression. It has been shown that MUC4 pattern of expression is modified during esophageal carcinogenesis, with a progressive increase from metaplastic lesions to adenocarcinoma. The principal cause of development of esophageal adenocarcinoma is the gastro-esophageal reflux, and MUC4 was previously shown to be upregulated by several bile acids present in reflux. In this report, our aim was thus to determine whether MUC4 plays a role in biological properties of human esophageal cancer cells. For that stable MUC4-deficient cancer cell lines (shMUC4 cells) were established using a shRNA approach. In vitro (proliferation, migration and invasion) and in vivo (tumor growth following subcutaneous xenografts in SCID mice) biological properties of shMUC4 cells were analyzed. Our results show that shMUC4 cells were less proliferative, had decreased migration properties and did not express S100A4 protein when compared with MUC4 expressing cells. Absence of MUC4 did not impair shMUC4 invasiveness. Subcutaneous xenografts showed a significant decrease in tumor size when cells did not express MUC4. Altogether, these data indicate that MUC4 plays a key role in proliferative and migrating properties of esophageal cancer cells as well as is a tumor growth promoter. MUC4 mucin appears thus as a good therapeutic target to slow-down esophageal tumor progression.