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Different expression of protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunits in normal and neoplastic thyroid tissues

Stefano Ferrero1, Valentina Vaira2, Alessandro Del Gobbo2

  • 1Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan Medical School, and Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. stefano.ferrero@unimi.it.

Histology and Histopathology
|November 14, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Increased expression of protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit A (PRKAR1A) is linked to aggressive, undifferentiated thyroid tumors. PRKAR2B also increased in thyroid tumors compared to normal tissue.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunits (R1A, R1B, R2A, R2B) have distinct roles in cell growth and differentiation.
  • PRKAR1A gene mutations are implicated in Carney complex and some anaplastic thyroid carcinomas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine PKA regulatory subunit expression in benign and malignant thyroid tumors.
  • To correlate subunit expression with clinical and pathological features of thyroid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of thyroid tumor tissues.
  • Immunohistochemistry to detect PRKAR1A, PRKAR1B, PRKAR2A, and PRKAR2B expression.
  • Correlation of expression levels with tumor type, grade, size, and lymph node metastasis.

Main Results:

  • PRKAR2B expression was elevated in both differentiated and undifferentiated thyroid tumors versus normal thyroid tissue.
  • PRKAR1A expression was significantly increased in undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinomas compared to normal and differentiated tumors.
  • Higher PRKAR1A expression correlated with larger tumor size (T2/T3 vs. T1) in non-metastatic thyroid cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated PRKAR1A expression is associated with aggressive, undifferentiated thyroid tumors.
  • PRKAR2B upregulation occurs broadly in thyroid tumorigenesis.
  • PRKAR1A may serve as a marker for aggressive thyroid cancer phenotypes.

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