Profiling of differential gene expression in Wilms tumor by cDNA expression array.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Wilms tumor is a pediatric kidney cancer with an unknown etiology.
• Understanding gene expression profiles is crucial for identifying disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genes and pathways involved in Wilms tumor development.
• To investigate gene expression differences between Wilms tumors and normal kidney tissues.
• To explore molecular evidence of Wilms tumor heterogeneity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Atlas Cancer cDNA expression arrays to compare gene expression profiles.
• Analyzed gene expression in five Wilms tumors, one cell line (SK-NEP1), and normal mature and fetal kidneys.
• Confirmed differential gene expression using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Main Results:

• 153 out of 588 genes showed altered expression in tumors compared to mature kidney.
• 96 genes were differentially expressed compared to both mature and fetal kidneys.
• 57 genes exhibited expression profiles similar to fetal kidney, suggesting a developmental origin.
• Only 13% of differentially expressed genes were consistently altered across all tested tumors, indicating heterogeneity.
• MMP-14 and cyclin D2 were confirmed as differentially expressed; 30% of tumors overexpressed MMP-14 and 80% overexpressed cyclin D2.

Conclusions:

• Gene expression profiling using cDNA arrays can reveal molecular characteristics of Wilms tumors.
• Significant tumor heterogeneity exists in Wilms tumors at the molecular level.
• Identified genes like MMP-14 and cyclin D2 as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for Wilms tumor.