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Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
mRNA and protein expression of PUMA in sporadic colorectal cancer
Agneta Jansson1, Gunnar Arbman, Xiao-Feng Sun
1Division of Oncology, Department of Biomedicine and Surgery, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Abstract:
PUMA is a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, up-regulated by p53 as a response to DNA damage. We have investigated the mRNA expression of PUMA with real-time PCR in 94 colorectal adenocarcinomas and the corresponding normal mucosa. Among them PUMA protein expression was investigated with immunohistochemistry in 23 tumours and 17 corresponding normal mucosa samples. The mRNA expression of PUMA decreased in 4% and increased in 4% of the tumours compared with the normal mucosa. The protein expression of PUMA decreased in 6% and increased in 29% of the tumours compared with the normal mucosa. Decreased PUMA expression in the tumour compared with the corresponding mucosa was correlated with the distal colon and rectum (P=0.02). We did not find any other relationship to clinical or pathological features. We suggest that the changes in PUMA expression may be of minor importance in the development of colorectal cancer.
Insights
PUMA expression in colorectal tumors showed varied changes. Decreased PUMA protein in tumors correlated with distal colon and rectum location, suggesting minor involvement in colorectal cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- PUMA (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) is a BH3-only protein in the Bcl-2 family.
- PUMA is induced by p53 in response to DNA damage.
- Its role in colorectal cancer development requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PUMA mRNA and protein expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas.
- To correlate PUMA expression with clinicopathological features.
- To assess the significance of PUMA alterations in colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR was used to analyze PUMA mRNA expression in 94 colorectal tumors and normal mucosa.
- Immunohistochemistry assessed PUMA protein levels in 23 tumors and 17 normal mucosa samples.
- Statistical analysis correlated expression with clinical and pathological data.
Main Results:
- PUMA mRNA levels showed minimal changes (4% increase, 4% decrease) compared to normal tissue.
- PUMA protein expression varied, with a 6% decrease and 29% increase observed in tumors.
- Decreased PUMA protein expression was significantly associated with distal colon and rectal tumors (P=0.02).
Conclusions:
- PUMA expression changes in colorectal tumors are not widespread at the mRNA level.
- Protein expression alterations are more common but show diverse patterns.
- The observed changes in PUMA expression appear to have minor importance in colorectal cancer development.
