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GSTT1 is deregulated in left colon tumors
Ender Coskunpinar1, Emel Canbay, Yasemin Musteri Oltulu
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract:
Our aim was to determine GSTT1 expression levels in left colon tumors and paired normal tissue in order to identify specific alterations in GSTT1 mRNA levels. Alterations in GSTT1 expression in twenty-four left- sided colon tumors and paired cancer free tissue were determined by qRT-PCR. Significant fold changes were determined with t-test. When compared with cancer free tissue, left colon cancers showed a significant decrease in GSTT1 expression. However, GSTT1 mRNA levels among different grades increased gradually in correlation with tumor grade. Our results suggest that downregulation of GSTT1 in left-sided colon cancers is an early event and is reversed with cancer progression, probably due to cellular defense mechanisms as a response to changes in the microenvironment.
Insights
Glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) expression is significantly decreased in left-sided colon tumors. However, GSTT1 mRNA levels increase with tumor progression, suggesting a role in cellular defense during cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) is involved in detoxification.
- Alterations in GSTT1 expression are implicated in various cancers.
- Understanding GSTT1's role in colon cancer progression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify GSTT1 mRNA levels in left colon tumors and adjacent normal tissue.
- To investigate the correlation between GSTT1 expression and colon tumor grade.
- To elucidate the role of GSTT1 in early and advanced colon cancer.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure GSTT1 mRNA levels.
- Twenty-four left-sided colon tumors and paired normal tissues were analyzed.
- Statistical analysis, including t-tests, was performed to determine significant fold changes.
Main Results:
- Left colon cancers exhibited a significant downregulation of GSTT1 expression compared to cancer-free tissue.
- GSTT1 mRNA levels showed a gradual increase with increasing tumor grade.
- A significant decrease in GSTT1 was observed in early-stage tumors.
Conclusions:
- Downregulation of GSTT1 appears to be an early event in left-sided colon cancer development.
- The observed increase in GSTT1 with tumor progression may indicate a compensatory cellular defense mechanism.
- GSTT1's dynamic expression pattern suggests a complex role in colon carcinogenesis and response to microenvironmental changes.
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