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Lowered Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activity in human malignant skin tumors
H Hamanaka1, Y Miyachi, T Tachibana
1Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Abstract:
We examined Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of fifteen malignant skin tumors (four malignant melanomas, three squamous cell carcinomas, four Bowen's diseases, two basal cell epitheliomas, one sebaceous epithelioma, and one extramammary Paget's disease) and compared them with those in adjacent normal tissues of the same patients. Though there were some individual differences, all the SOD activities in tumor tissues were significantly lower than those in adjacent normal tissues of the same subjects. The average SOD activity in tumor tissues was 12.01 +/- 2.17 unit/mg protein, while that of normal tissues was 17.62 +/- 2.85. These findings agree with previous reports from various other organ tumors.
Insights
Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is significantly lower in malignant skin tumors compared to normal tissues. This finding in skin cancers aligns with observations in other organ tumors, suggesting a potential role for SOD in skin carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a crucial antioxidant enzyme.
- Altered SOD activity has been implicated in various cancers.
- Previous studies suggest reduced SOD activity in tumors of different organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in a variety of malignant skin tumors.
- To compare SOD activity in tumor tissues with adjacent normal tissues from the same patients.
- To determine if SOD activity in skin tumors aligns with findings in other cancers.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme activity assays were performed on fifteen malignant skin tumors.
- Tumor samples included melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, Bowen's disease, basal cell epitheliomas, sebaceous epithelioma, and extramammary Paget's disease.
- SOD activity was quantified and compared between malignant tissues and adjacent normal tissues.
Main Results:
- All examined malignant skin tumors exhibited significantly lower Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to adjacent normal tissues.
- Average SOD activity in tumor tissues was 12.01 +/- 2.17 unit/mg protein.
- Average SOD activity in normal tissues was 17.62 +/- 2.85 unit/mg protein.
Conclusions:
- Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is consistently reduced in malignant skin tumors.
- The decreased SOD activity in skin cancers supports its potential role in skin carcinogenesis.
- These findings are consistent with reduced SOD activity observed in tumors from other organs.