[The expression and clinical significance of keratin 19, 20 mRNA in different tumor cell lines and tumor tissues].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the expression of keratin 19, 20 (K19, K20) in different tumor cell lines and tumor tissues and its clinical implication.

METHODS:

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to examine the specific expression of K19 and K20 mRNA in eleven tumor cell lines and 33 corresponding tumor tissue specimens.

RESULTS:

The expression of K19 mRNA was detected in 4 kinds of tumor cell lines and all tumor tissues examined, but the magnitude of expression differed, with a difference ranging from 1.7 to 10 folds for the same type of cancer. In some patients, the level of expression was as low as 12% of the positive control. K20 mRNA expression was negative for lung and esophageal tumor cell lines and the corresponding carcinoma specimens. In one of 6 bladder cancer specimens and in 4 of 5 colorectal cancer tissues, K20 expression was positive, at a level of 41%-77% of the positive control. There was no expression of K20 in bladder tumor cell line EJ1 and colorectal tumor cell line SW480.

CONCLUSION:

These results demonstrate that K19 and K20 may be used as a valuable marker for detecting circulating cancer cells, but the low level of expression in some cases of carcinoma would probably result in false negative results.

• Authors: L Qhiu, X Cong, L Ja
• Journal: Zhonghua zhong liu za zhi [Chinese journal of oncology] (Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 32-5 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 0253-3766 [Print] China
• PMID: 11776592 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Intermediate Filament Proteins
• KRT20 protein, human
• Keratin-20
• RNA, Messenger
• Keratins

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (biosynthesis)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Down-Regulation
• Esophageal Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Humans
• Intermediate Filament Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Keratin-20
• Keratins (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Lung Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Neoplastic Cells, Circulating (metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Tumor Cells, Cultured (metabolism)
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms (metabolism)