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Expression of NDRG2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Jianjun Ma1, Haifeng Jin, He Wang
1Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Abstract:
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is the most common pathological type of renal cell carcinoma and the main cause of renal carcinoma mortality. NDRG2, a new member of the N-Myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family, is a focus for study at present. Up to now, its expression and function in carcinoma remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate its expression in CCRCC tissues and several renal carcinoma cell lines. The expression of NDRG2 was evaluated in renal cell carcinoma cell lines, tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues from same clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients, by using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot. By immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we found that NDRG2 was predominantly located in the cytoplasm and membrane of renal carcinoma cancer cells, and the positive rate of NDRG2 in renal carcinoma specimens was 30.3% (40/132), which is significantly lower than 91.67% (121/132) in normal renal tissues (p<0.01). The average staining score in normal renal tissues was significantly higher than renal carcinoma (6.12+/-1.84 versus 2.65+/-1.23, p<0.01). Moreover, NDRG2 mRNA and protein were down-regulated in 6 fresh CCRCC tissues compared with their adjacent noncancerous tissues and normal tissues. Its expression was also lower in the human CCRCC-derived cell lines A-498 and 786-O than in the human proximal tubular cell lines HK-2 and HKC. These results indicated that NDRG2 might play an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of CCRCC and may function as a tumor suppressor in CCRCC.
Insights
NDRG2 expression is significantly reduced in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) tissues and cell lines. This down-regulation suggests NDRG2 may act as a tumor suppressor in CCRCC development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is the most prevalent renal cell carcinoma subtype and a leading cause of cancer mortality.
- The expression and function of NDRG2 (N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2) in various cancers, including CCRCC, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of NDRG2 in CCRCC tissues and cell lines.
- To determine the potential role of NDRG2 in the carcinogenesis and progression of CCRCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate NDRG2 protein expression and localization in patient tissues.
- RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to assess NDRG2 mRNA and protein levels in CCRCC tissues and cell lines.
- Expression levels were compared between tumor tissues, adjacent non-tumor tissues, and normal renal cell lines.
Main Results:
- NDRG2 protein was primarily localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of renal carcinoma cells.
- NDRG2 expression was significantly lower in CCRCC tissues (30.3%) compared to normal renal tissues (91.67%).
- NDRG2 mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated in CCRCC tissues and cell lines compared to non-cancerous counterparts.
Conclusions:
- NDRG2 expression is significantly reduced in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
- The down-regulation of NDRG2 suggests it may function as a tumor suppressor in the development and progression of CCRCC.
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