Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Altered Expression of PRKX, WNT3 and WNT16 in Human Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma
Natalia Gurgel DO Carmo1, Luis Henrique Toshihiro Sakamoto2, Robert Pogue3
1Program of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil Program of Molecular Pathology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Background/Aim:
Nodular and superficial are the most common subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Signaling pathways such as Hedgehog (HH) and Wingless (WNT) signaling are associated with BCC phenotypic variation. The aim of the study was to evaluate of the expression profiles of 84 genes related to the WNT and HH signaling pathways in patients with nodular and superficial BCC.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 58 BCCs and 13 samples of normal skin were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect the gene-expression profile.
Results:
qPCR array showed segregation in BCC subtypes compared to healthy skin. PRKX, WNT3 and WNT16 were significantly (p<0.05) altered: PRKX was up-regulated, and WNT3 and WNT16 were down-regulated in nodular BCC.
Conclusion:
PRKX, WNT3 and WNT16 genes, belonging to the WNT signaling pathway, are involved in the tumorigenic process of nodular BCC.
Related Concept Videos
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
Abnormal Proliferation
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

