[PRKAR1α expression in non-small cell lung cancer and 
its clinicopathologic significance]

To evaluate the expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I-alpha regulatory subunit (PRKAR1α) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with clinicopathological features.
 Methods: PRKAR1α expressions in 79 NSCLC patients and matched adjacent non-carcinoma tissues were analyzed by using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
 Results: The negative rates of PRKAR1α protein in NSCLC, lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCL) and lung adenocarcinoma (ACL) were 58.2%, 77.8%, 32.4%, respectively. Compared to the matched adjacent non-carcinoma tissues, there were significant differences in levels of PRKAR1α mRNA and protein in ACL (P<0.05), but not in SCL and overall NSCLC (P>0.05). The expression of PRKAR1α protein was positively correlated with histological type, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Tumor size and histogenesis differentiation were not related to the decreased PRKAR1α (P>0.05).
 Conclusion: Low expression of PRKAR1α in ACL might be involved in the pathogenesis, which might serve as a novel diagnostic candidate.