Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
Plexin B1 is downregulated in renal cell carcinomas and modulates cell growth
J Javier Gómez Román1, Gorka Ochoa Garay, Pilar Saenz
1Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario "Marqués de Valdecilla," Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain. apagrj@humv.es
Abstract:
Plexins are a family of transmembrane receptors that interact with the repulsive axon guidance molecules (Semaphorins) in neural tissues. In extraneural tissues, plexins are involved in other cellular functions often altered in neoplastic cells, such as adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Plexin B1 has been implicated in the regulation of Akt, which is an activated pathway in renal cell neoplasms, and only 1 report has emphasized its role as an oncogenic factor. Furthermore, plexin B1 is located in 3p21, which is a chromosomal region deleted frequently in renal cell carcinomas. In accordance with a hypothetical oncogenic role for plexin B1, we have shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction that plexin B1 is expressed in nonneoplastic renal tissue, and it is severely downregulated in clear cell renal carcinomas. We have also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays that plexin B1 protein is absent in more than 80% of renal cell carcinomas (169 in 209 carcinomas examined). Otherwise, all kinds of renal tubules showed strong membrane reactivity. Moreover, when we have induced plexin B1 expression with an expression vector in the renal adenocarcinoma cell line ACHN, a marked reduction in proliferation rate was produced. Altogether, this evidence suggests a possible role for plexin B1 in renal oncogenesis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
Negative Regulator Molecules
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
