Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
MSI1 overexpression in diffuse type of gastric cancer
Parvaneh Nikpour1, Modjtaba Emadi-Baygi, Faezeh Mohhamad-Hashem
1Pediatric Inherited Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. pnikpour@med.mui.ac.ir
Abstract:
Being the third most frequent cause of cancer mortality in the world, gastric cancer is the major cause of cancer-related mortality in Iran. Musashi1 recognizes a motif in the 3'UTR of target mRNAs - involved in cell cycle regulation, proliferation and apoptosis - and represses the translation of the mRNAs. As tissue stem cells exist in many adult tissues other than the CNS, Musashi is considered to be associated with many malignancies. In the current study, we aimed to assess Musashi1 gene expression in human stomach cancer. In total, 30 paired gastric tumoral and adjacent non-tumoral tissue specimens were examined for gene expression by qReal-Time RT-PCR. Our results demonstrated that the expression of the gene did not significantly change between tumor/non-tumor tissues (p value: 16×10(-2)) and different grades (p value: 36×10(-2)). However, there was a statistical difference between the MSI1 gene expression in different tumor types, i.e., intestinal versus diffuse type (p value: 3×10(-2)). All together, further investigations should be done to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms by which MSI1 contribute to the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.
Insights
Musashi1 (MSI1) gene expression did not significantly differ in gastric tumors versus normal tissue or by grade. However, MSI1 expression varied between intestinal and diffuse gastric cancer types, suggesting a role in specific gastric cancer subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally and in Iran.
- Musashi1 (MSI1) is a RNA-binding protein that regulates gene translation and is implicated in various malignancies.
- MSI1's role in gastric cancer pathogenesis warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Musashi1 (MSI1) gene expression in human gastric cancer tissues.
- To compare MSI1 expression between tumor and adjacent non-tumoral tissues.
- To analyze MSI1 expression in relation to tumor grade and type.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR (qReal-Time RT-PCR) was used to measure MSI1 gene expression.
- 30 paired gastric tumoral and adjacent non-tumoral tissue specimens were analyzed.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare MSI1 expression levels.
Main Results:
- MSI1 gene expression showed no significant difference between gastric tumor and non-tumoral tissues (p=0.16).
- MSI1 expression levels were not significantly different across various tumor grades (p=0.36).
- A statistically significant difference in MSI1 expression was observed between intestinal and diffuse types of gastric cancer (p=0.03).
Conclusions:
- MSI1 gene expression is not a reliable biomarker for differentiating gastric tumors from normal tissue or for grading.
- MSI1 expression patterns differ between intestinal and diffuse gastric cancer subtypes.
- Further research is needed to clarify the specific molecular mechanisms of MSI1 in gastric cancer development.
