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Published on: January 22, 2013
The expression of NOV and WT1 in renal cell carcinoma: a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction
Zhihong Niu1, Masaki Ito, Yasuo Awakura
1Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Shogoin Kawaharacho, Kyoto, Japan.
Purpose:
The NOV gene was first identified as an aberrantly expressed gene in avian nephroblastomas induced by myeloblastosis-associated virus. Its expression has been shown to be altered in avian and human nephroblastomas, and to be a target of WT1 regulation. We analyzed the mRNA level of human NOV together with the mRNA level of WT1 in sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials And Methods:
We quantified NOV and WT1 mRNA levels in surgical specimens from 57 patients with RCC using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Results:
NOV mRNA levels decreased significantly in RCC compared with normal kidney tissue (p <0.001). The NOV mRNA level was higher in papillary than in clear cell RCCs (p = 0.040) and higher in G1 than G2 and 3 tumors (p = 0.01). WT1 was down-regulated in RCCs. No significant relationship was found for NOV and WT1 mRNA levels in our study.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge this is the first study to investigate the expression level of the NOV gene in a panel of human RCC tissues together with paired normal renal tissue. Our data indicate that NOV is associated with carcinogenesis and the progression of RCC, and the NOV expression level is different in papillary-type and clear cell-type RCC. There is a possibility that the regulation of NOV expression is different from the pathway regulated by WT1.
Insights
NOV gene expression decreases in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly in clear cell types and advanced stages. This study is the first to analyze NOV and WT1 mRNA in human RCC, suggesting NOV
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The NOV gene was initially identified in avian nephroblastomas.
- NOV gene expression is altered in avian and human nephroblastomas.
- NOV is a known target of WT1 regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mRNA levels of the NOV gene in human sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To analyze the mRNA levels of WT1 alongside NOV in RCC.
- To compare NOV and WT1 mRNA expression in RCC tissues versus normal kidney tissue.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used.
- NOV and WT1 mRNA levels were quantified in surgical specimens from 57 RCC patients.
- Paired normal kidney tissue was used for comparison.
Main Results:
- NOV mRNA levels were significantly decreased in RCC compared to normal kidney tissue (p <0.001).
- NOV mRNA levels were higher in papillary RCC than in clear cell RCC (p = 0.040).
- NOV mRNA levels were higher in G1 stage tumors compared to G2 and G3 stages (p = 0.01).
- WT1 was found to be down-regulated in RCC.
- No significant relationship was observed between NOV and WT1 mRNA levels in this study.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to examine NOV gene expression in human RCC tissues alongside paired normal renal tissue.
- Data suggest NOV is associated with RCC carcinogenesis and progression.
- NOV expression levels differ between papillary and clear cell RCC subtypes.
- The regulation pathway of NOV expression may differ from that of WT1.
