ABSTRACT: The function of human transmembrane protein 176A (TMEM176A) in cancer remains unclear. To understand the function and mechanism of TMEM176A in human esophageal cancer development, 13 esophageal cancer cell lines and 267 cases of primary esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) samples were analyzed by methylation specific PCR (MSP), flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and transfection assays. TMEM176A was highly expressed in BIC1 cells and loss of TMEM176A expression was found in TE1, TE3, TE13, KYSE140, KYSE180, KYSE410, KYSE450, KYSE520, Segl, KYSE150, YES2 and COLO680N cells. Complete methylation was detected in TE1, TE3, TE13, KYSE140, KYSE180, KYSE410, KYSE450, KYSE520, Segl, KYSE150, YES2 and COLO680N cells, while unmethylation was detected in BIC1 cells. Restoration of TMEM176A expre
