Increased expression of the oncogenic KLF6-SV1 transcript in human glioblastoma

Gliomas constitute the vast majority of primary central nervous system tumors in adults. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of these primary brain tumors. There is a need to define diagnostic and prognostic markers that may help to distinguish GBM from non-GBM tumors. The Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) gene has recently emerged as a promising candidate. The goal of our study was to determine if there is a link between KLF6 splice variants expression and different grades of gliomas.

Fifty-three primary gliomas tumor samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR for the total KLF6, wild-type and alternatively spliced (SV1) KLF6 mRNA.

Compared to the non-GBM group, the GBM group had a 2.2-fold increase in the mean level of total KLF6 mRNA expression. GBM showed a 2.1-fold increase in the KLF6 splicing ratio. In addition, KLF6-SV1 mRNA expression levels were also 2.2-fold higher in the GBM group, suggesting that the increase in the KLF6 splicing ratio was due to increased expression of the KLF6-SV1 oncogenic splice variant.

Our study demonstrates that quantification of total and spliced forms of KLF6 may provide a new and useful supplementary molecular tool for grading glioma.