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Clinical significance of ST3Gal IV expression in human renal cell carcinoma
Seiichi Saito1, Shin-Ichi Yamashita, Mareyuki Endoh
1Department of Urology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan. ssaito@uro.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Abstract:
Alteration of sialyltransferase expression has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Out of sialyltransferases cloned to date, we focused on ST3Gal IV expression in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Levels of ST3Gal IV mRNA were examined in human RCC in comparison with non-tumor kidney. ST3Gal IV cDNA obtained by polymerase chain reaction from cDNA library of human RCC cell line ACHN was identical to STZ in nucleotide sequence. Northern blot analysis was performed for 24 non-tumor kidney and 25 primary RCC tissues, and 5 metastases. ST3Gal IV mRNA level was decreased in 16 cases of 22 primary RCC tissues compared to 21 non-tumor kidney tissues. The mRNA level was low in 4 and equivocal in one, of 5 metastases. The 6 cases that possessed almost the same levels of ST3Gal IV mRNA in primary tumor tissues as those in non-tumor kidneys showed favorable prognoses, as assessed by Kaplan-Meier curve. These results indicate that down-regulation of ST3Gal IV mRNA may be one of the factors associated with the malignant progression of human RCC.
Insights
Down-regulation of ST3Gal IV mRNA is observed in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Lower ST3Gal IV expression correlates with malignant progression and poorer prognosis in RCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sialyltransferase expression is altered in cancer.
- ST3Gal IV is a key sialyltransferase implicated in carcinogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of ST3Gal IV in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To determine the correlation between ST3Gal IV expression levels and RCC progression and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- ST3Gal IV mRNA levels were analyzed in 25 primary RCC tissues and 5 metastases using Northern blot analysis.
- Comparison was made with 24 non-tumor kidney tissues.
- Nucleotide sequence of ST3Gal IV cDNA was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- ST3Gal IV mRNA levels were decreased in 16 out of 22 primary RCC tissues compared to non-tumor kidneys.
- Low or equivocal ST3Gal IV mRNA levels were found in metastatic RCC tissues.
- Patients with higher ST3Gal IV mRNA levels in primary tumors exhibited favorable prognoses.
Conclusions:
- Down-regulation of ST3Gal IV mRNA is associated with malignant progression in human RCC.
- Reduced ST3Gal IV expression may serve as a prognostic marker for RCC.