Identification of target genes within an amplicon at 14q12-q13 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Comparative genomic hybridization studies have revealed frequent amplificat ion of the 14q12-q13 region in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESC) cel l lines. To identify genes targeted for amplification, we first defined the minimal common region of amplification using fluorescence in situ hybridiz ation in affected ESC cell lines. The amplicon covered about 6 Mb, between markers D14S1034 and L18528. Then we screened 32 ESC cell lines to discern amplifications and expression levels of 26 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) t hat had been localized to the amplified region. Five known genes (BAZIA, SR P54, NFKBIA, MBIP, and HNF3A) and two uncharacterized ESTs (GenBank Accessi on numbers AA991861 and AA 167732) within the amplicon showed amplification and consequent overexpression. Two of these transcripts were amplified in three of the primary ESCs we examined. Our findings suggest that these seve n genes are candidate targets of the amplification mechanism and therefore may be associated, together or separately, with development and progression of ESC. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.