DLEC1

The cytogenetic location of this gene is 3p21.3, and it is located in a region that is commonly deleted in a variety of malignancies. Down-regulation of this gene has been observed in several human cancers including lung, esophageal, renal tumors, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In some cases, reduced expression of this gene in tumor cells is a result of aberrant promoter methylation. Several alternatively spliced transcripts have been observed that contain disrupted coding regions and likely encode nonfunctional proteins.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2016]

Full Name

Deleted In Lung And Esophageal Cancer 1

Function

Essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility (By similarity).

May play an important role in sperm head and tail formation (By similarity).

May act as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation.

Biological Process

Cell differentiation Source: UniProtKB-KW
Defense response to tumor cell Source: ARUK-UCL
Negative regulation of cell population proliferation Source: ProtInc
Spermatogenesis Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm

Involvement in disease

DLEC1 silencing due to promoter methylation and aberrant transcription are implicated in the development of different cancers, including esophageal (ESCR), renal and lung cancers (LNCR).
Lung cancer (LNCR):
The gene represented in this entry may be involved in disease pathogenesis. DLEC1 silencing due to promoter methylation and aberrant transcription are implicated in the development of lung cancer. A common malignancy affecting tissues of the lung. The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be divided into 3 major histologic subtypes: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell lung cancer. NSCLC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis.
Esophageal cancer (ESCR):
The gene represented in this entry may be involved in disease pathogenesis. DLEC1 silencing due to promoter methylation and aberrant transcription may be implicated in the development of esophageal cancer.
A malignancy of the esophagus. The most common types are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Cancer of the esophagus remains a devastating disease because it is usually not detected until it has progressed to an advanced incurable stage.