Gene expression analysis to identify mRNA markers of cardiac myxoma

cDNA expression arrays were used to identify mRNA expression markers for cardiac myxoma. The RNA profile analysis suggests that cardiac myxoma should be considered as a stand-alone tissue rather than a pathological modification of particular normal tissue. The analysis reveals a set of genes which are highly and steadily expressed in cardiac myxomas and can serve as an mRNA expression markers of the tumour. Marker status of selected genes was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genes MIA (melanoma inhibitory activity) and PLA2G2A (phospholipase A2, group IIA) show the highest specificity as cardiac myxoma markers, since they have more than 10-fold higher RNA level in cardiac myxomas than in any one of 15 normal tissues tested. Among markers of myxoma at least three are participants of phospholipid metabolism: ANXA3, PLA2G2A, and phospholipid transfer protein. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor are inhibitors of proteases degrading extracellular matrix proteins and participating in cell proliferation regulation. MIA, SPP1, fibromodulin are modulators or participants of the interaction between extracellular matrix proteins and their cell surface receptors. SOX9 is a transcription factor required for chondrocyte differentiation. Calretenin (CALB2) is an intracellular calcium-binding protein with poorly understood function.