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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
12:22

The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers

Published on: January 22, 2013

Frequent expression of Bcl-2 in renal-cell carcinomas carrying wild-type p53

Y Tomita1, V Bilim, T Kawasaki

  • 1Department of Urology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.

International Journal of Cancer
|May 3, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Overexpression of Bcl-2, not p53 mutations, may prevent apoptosis in renal-cell cancer (RCC). This study found Bcl-2 protein expression in most RCCs, suggesting its role in tumor development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The p53 tumor-suppressor gene is frequently mutated in various cancers.
  • p53 gene alterations are uncommon in renal-cell cancer (RCC).
  • Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis induced by wild-type p53, with an inverse correlation observed in other cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Bcl-2 expression in RCC.
  • To determine the relationship between Bcl-2 expression and p53 status in RCC.
  • To explore the role of Bcl-2 and p53 in RCC pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze Bcl-2 and p53 expression in 25 RCCs.
  • Southern hybridization assessed bcl-2 gene amplification.
  • PCR-SSCP and sequencing identified p53 mutations.
  • Bcl-2 and p53 status were also examined in 7 RCC cell lines.

Main Results:

  • Bcl-2 staining was positive in 17 out of 25 RCCs.
  • p53 staining was positive in only 1 RCC.
  • No bcl-2 amplification or p53 mutations were detected in the analyzed tumors.
  • Bcl-2 protein was expressed in all 7 RCC cell lines, with only one exhibiting p53 mutation.

Conclusions:

  • Overexpression of Bcl-2, rather than p53 mutation, is suggested to inhibit apoptosis in RCC.
  • Bcl-2 may play a significant role in the development of renal-cell cancer.
  • These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets in RCC treatment.

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