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Altered mRNA expression of sialyltransferase in squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix

P H Wang1, Y F Li, C M Juang

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan. phwang@vghtpe.gov.tw

Gynecologic Oncology
|October 5, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

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.

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