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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Expression and clinical value of SALL4 in renal cell carcinomas
Jianping Che1, Pengfei Wu2, Guangchun Wang2
1Department of Urology, The Affiliated Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai 200072, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of spalt like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) in the three most common types of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) [clear cell RCC (ccRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) and chromophobe RCC (chRCC)], and the association with the overall survival (OS) of patients. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and RCC samples were used to investigate the expression levels of the SALL4 gene and its association with the OS in the three types of RCC based on the analysis of the transcriptome, copy number and survival data. It was found that SALL4 was highly expressed in ccRCC and pRCC tumor tissue, and low mRNA expression level of SALL4 indicated a prolonged survival in both ccRCC and pRCC. This mRNA expression level was associated with pathological Tumor‑Node‑Metastasis stage, M and T stages in both ccRCC and pRCC. The analysis of the enriched pathway results suggested that SALL4 may act via translation initiation, and that the related genes promoted the progression of RCC. Moreover, the high expression level of SALL4 was detected in RCC samples and serum from patients. It was demonstrated that SALL4 promotes increased viability in RCC cells. Therefore, the present results suggest that SALL4 may be a sensitive and specific cancer biomarker in ccRCC and pRCC. Furthermore, targeting of SALL4 may improve RCC therapy and prolong the survival of patients with ccRCC or pRCC.
Insights
Spalt like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) is highly expressed in clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Lower SALL4 mRNA levels correlate with improved survival in these RCC types, suggesting SALL4 as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the molecular drivers of RCC subtypes, including clear cell RCC (ccRCC), papillary RCC (pRCC), and chromophobe RCC (chRCC), is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- Spalt like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) is a gene with known roles in development and cancer, but its specific involvement in RCC requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of SALL4 in ccRCC, pRCC, and chRCC.
- To determine the association between SALL4 expression and overall survival (OS) in RCC patients.
- To explore the potential role of SALL4 in RCC progression and its utility as a diagnostic or therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Utilized The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for transcriptome, copy number, and survival data analysis.
- Analyzed SALL4 gene expression levels in RCC tumor tissues and patient serum samples.
- Performed pathway enrichment analysis to understand SALL4's molecular mechanisms.
Main Results:
- SALL4 demonstrated high expression in ccRCC and pRCC tumor tissues.
- Lower SALL4 mRNA expression was significantly associated with prolonged OS in both ccRCC and pRCC.
- SALL4 expression correlated with pathological Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging, specifically M and T stages.
- SALL4 was detected at higher levels in RCC samples and patient serum.
- SALL4 was shown to promote increased viability in RCC cells, potentially through translation initiation pathways.
Conclusions:
- SALL4 is a promising sensitive and specific biomarker for ccRCC and pRCC.
- Targeting SALL4 presents a potential therapeutic strategy to improve RCC treatment and prolong patient survival.
- Further research into SALL4's role in RCC pathogenesis is warranted.
