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K-ras gene point mutations and p21ras immunostaining in human ovarian tumors

A Semczuk1, K Postawski, D Przadka

  • 12nd Department of Gynecology, University School of Medicine, Lublin, Poland.

European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology
|August 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

K-ras gene mutations were found in 22.5% of ovarian tumors, particularly in mucinous types. p21ras protein expression was not always linked to these K-ras gene alterations in ovarian adenocarcinomas.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Genetic alterations in oncogenes and DNA repair genes are implicated in ovarian tumorigenesis.
  • K-ras gene mutations are known contributors to various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of K-ras gene point mutations in benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
  • To assess the expression of p21ras protein in ovarian adenocarcinomas.

Main Methods:

  • PCR-RFLP technique was used to screen for K-ras gene point mutations in paraffin-embedded ovarian tumor samples.
  • Immunohistochemistry was employed to evaluate p21ras protein expression in 30 primary ovarian adenocarcinomas.

Main Results:

  • K-ras codon 12 point mutations were identified in 22.5% of the 40 ovarian tumors analyzed.
  • Mutations were detected in mucinous tumors of low malignant potential, adenocarcinomas, metastatic adenocarcinoma, sex cord-stromal tumors, and a dysgerminoma.
  • p21ras was expressed in all K-ras-negative adenocarcinomas, but lacking in 20% of K-ras-positive tumors.

Conclusions:

  • K-ras gene activation plays a role in the development of mucinous ovarian tumors.
  • p21ras expression in ovarian adenocarcinomas is not consistently associated with K-ras gene alterations.

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