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Altered mRNA expression of sialyltransferase in squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan. phwang@vghtpe.gov.tw
Objective:
Increased sialylation has been reported in various kinds of cancers, but to date, sialylation of cervical carcinoma has never been evaluated. This study of the changes in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of the four sialyltransferases (ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, ST3Gal IV, and ST6Gal I) in a normal cervix and that with FIGO stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma was undertaken to assess the extent of sialylation associated with establishment of the carcinoma.
Methods:
Alterations in ST mRNA expression in FIGO IB1 cervical cancer (n = 30) and normal cervixes (n = 30) were examined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
ST6Gal I expression was enhanced in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (P = 0.026, Mann-Whitney U test), but mRNA expression from the other three STs (ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, and ST3Gal IV) was significantly down-expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix compared to the normal cervix (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). High ST6Gal I expression was associated with more invasive properties of cervical cancer, such as deep stromal invasion, lymph or vascular space involvement, and poor differentiation (P = 0.010, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions:
A combination of enhanced ST6Gal I mRNA expression and decreased mRNA expression from ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, and ST3Gal IV might be important in cervical cancer. Future studies will investigate whether RT-PCR detection of the expression of these enzymes can be helpful for prognostic purposes.
Insights
Sialylation changes in cervical cancer were studied. Enhanced ST6Gal I mRNA and decreased ST3Gal I, III, IV mRNA expression were observed in squamous cell carcinoma, potentially aiding prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sialylation is implicated in various cancers.
- Sialylation in cervical carcinoma remains unevaluated.
- Sialyltransferases (STs) regulate sialylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of four sialyltransferases (ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, ST3Gal IV, and ST6Gal I) in normal cervix and FIGO stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma.
- To assess the role of sialylation in cervical cancer establishment.
Main Methods:
- Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used.
- mRNA expression of STs was analyzed in 30 cervical cancer tissues and 30 normal cervix tissues.
Main Results:
- ST6Gal I mRNA expression was significantly increased in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
- mRNA expression of ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, and ST3Gal IV was significantly decreased.
- Elevated ST6Gal I expression correlated with increased invasiveness and poor differentiation.
Conclusions:
- A combination of increased ST6Gal I and decreased ST3Gal I, III, IV mRNA expression may be significant in cervical cancer.
- Further research is needed to determine if RT-PCR detection of these enzymes can aid in prognostic assessment.