Potential protective role of Grainyhead-like genes in the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
05:36

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane

Published on: February 8, 2020

9.6K

Magdalena Pawlak1, Agnieszka Kikulska1, Tomasz Wrzesinski2

  • 1Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Cell Biology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|May 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Grainyhead-like transcription factors GRHL1 and GRHL2 are downregulated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Reduced GRHL2 expression promotes ccRCC cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance, suggesting its tumor-suppressive role.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors are implicated in various cancers.
  • The specific role of GRHL factors in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of GRHL1 and GRHL2 in ccRCC.
  • To explore the potential link between GRHL factors and VHL gene expression in ccRCC.
  • To assess the prognostic and therapeutic implications of GRHL gene polymorphisms in ccRCC.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of GRHL1 and GRHL2 expression in ccRCC samples.
  • Correlation analysis between GRHL and VHL gene expression.
  • Assessment of GRHL gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for ccRCC risk and prognosis.
  • In vitro silencing of GRHL2 in a kidney cell line to study its functional impact.

Main Results:

  • GRHL1 and GRHL2 expression is downregulated in ccRCC tissues.
  • GRHL expression levels correlate with VHL gene expression.
  • GRHL gene SNPs may be associated with ccRCC risk, prognosis, and therapy response.
  • GRHL2 silencing in kidney cells leads to increased proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and altered protein levels relevant to ccRCC pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • GRHL1 and GRHL2 are downregulated in ccRCC, suggesting a tumor-suppressive role.
  • A functional link exists between GRHL factors and the VHL tumor suppressor.
  • GRHL2 acts as a potential suppressor of ccRCC, with implications for patient prognosis and treatment.
Keywords:
gene expressiongenes, tumor suppressorkidney neoplasmspolymorphism, single nucleotidetranscription factors

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