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Expression of sex hormone-binding globulin mRNA in human ovarian cancers
R Misao1, Y Nakanishi, J Fujimoto
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
To know the role of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the intracellular steroidal actions in human ovarian cancers, the expression of SHBG mRNA as a substitute for intracellular SHBG expression was investigated in normal ovarian tissues and ovarian tumors. In the present study, we used competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blot analysis to evaluate SHBG mRNA levels. The expression of SHBG mRNA was detected in all normal ovaries and benign and malignant ovarian tumors analyzed. There were no significant differences in the mean SHBG mRNA levels among the three types of tissue. The expression in normal ovaries was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in premenopause, suggesting the predominance of a sex steroid hormone effect on ovarian SHBG synthesis. Relative overexpression of SHBG mRNA was observed in six out of 22 cases (27%) of ovarian cancer (three cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, two cases of serous cystadenocarcinoma and one case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma) in comparison with normal ovaries and benign ovarian tumors. There was no difference in expression among the clinical stages of ovarian cancers. These data suggest that normal human ovaries and ovarian tumors might synthesize SHBG intracellularly, ovarian cancers might conserve an estrogen-associated property via SHBG and the regulation of intracellular SHBG expression might be changed in some cancers.
Insights
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) mRNA is present in ovarian tissues and tumors. Some ovarian cancers show SHBG overexpression, suggesting altered regulation and potential estrogen-associated properties.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plays a role in steroid hormone transport and action.
- Understanding intracellular SHBG expression is crucial for elucidating its function in ovarian cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SHBG in intracellular steroidal actions within human ovarian cancers.
- To evaluate SHBG mRNA expression as a surrogate for intracellular SHBG in normal ovarian tissues and tumors.
Main Methods:
- Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blot analysis was employed.
- SHBG mRNA levels were quantified in normal ovaries, benign ovarian tumors, and malignant ovarian tumors.
Main Results:
- SHBG mRNA expression was detected in all analyzed ovarian tissues and tumors.
- No significant differences in mean SHBG mRNA levels were found between normal, benign, and malignant tissues.
- Higher SHBG mRNA expression in premenopausal normal ovaries suggests sex steroid influence.
- Relative overexpression of SHBG mRNA was observed in 27% of ovarian cancer cases.
- No correlation between SHBG mRNA expression and clinical stages of ovarian cancer was identified.
Conclusions:
- Normal ovaries and ovarian tumors likely synthesize SHBG intracellularly.
- Ovarian cancers may retain estrogen-associated properties through SHBG.
- The regulation of intracellular SHBG expression may be altered in certain ovarian cancers.