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Altered mRNA expressions of sialyltransferases in ovarian cancers

Peng-Hui Wang1, Wen-Ling Lee, Chi-Mou Juang

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. phwang@vghtpe.gov.tw

Gynecologic Oncology
|August 23, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Altered mRNA expression of sialyltransferases (STs) is significant in ovarian cancers. Specific STs showed decreased or increased expression, suggesting their role in malignant transformation and potential as biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aberrant glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer, with altered sialyltransferase (ST) expression implicated in tumor development.
  • While STs are known to be involved in cancer glycosylation, their specific mRNA expression patterns in ovarian cancer remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mRNA expression levels of various sialyltransferases (STs) in malignant ovarian cancer tissues compared to normal controls.
  • To explore the potential correlation between ST mRNA expression and clinico-pathological parameters in ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR) was used to analyze ST mRNA expression in 24 normal and 24 malignant ovarian tissues.
  • Immunohistochemical staining with Maackia Amurensis Agglutinin type 2 (MAA) was performed to detect alpha2,3-linked sialic acid residues.

Main Results:

  • mRNA expression of ST3Gal III, ST3Gal IV, and ST3Gal VI was significantly decreased in ovarian cancers.
  • Conversely, mRNA expression of ST3Gal I and ST6Gal I was significantly increased in ovarian cancer tissues.
  • MAA staining showed strong positivity in the epithelial carcinoma but was negative in normal ovarian tissue and stromal components.

Conclusions:

  • Altered mRNA expression of ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, ST3Gal IV, ST3Gal VI, and ST6Gal I is significant in malignant ovarian cancers.
  • Increased ST3Gal I expression may directly contribute to elevated alpha2,3-linked sialylation in ovarian serous carcinoma, highlighting its potential role in tumorigenesis.

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