The small variant of the apoptosis-associated X-chromosome RBM10 gene is co-expressed with caspase-3 in breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

There are very few studies on the final triggers of apoptosis, the caspases, in breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Caspase-3 expression was studied by means of reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a series of 108 previously untreated patients with breast cancer. Expression levels were correlated with those obtained using the same technique of the apoptosis-associated X-chromosome genes RBMX, RBM3, RBM10 small and RBM10 large variant; Bcl-2 and Bax; the angiogenesis-associated genes VEGF and CD105 (endoglin); hMAM and Nup88. The correlation with the expression of hormone receptors, c-erb-B2, mutant p53 and Ki-67, all measured by means of immunohistochemistry, was also studied, as well as that with standard clinical parameters such as histological type, tumor size, axillary metastasis and DNA-ploidy.

RESULTS:

The only statistically significant correlations observed between caspase-3 mRNA expression and the parameters tested were a direct one with both the Bax (p = 0.007) and the small variant of the X-chromosome RBM10 gene (p = 0.018), and an inverse one with the angiogenesis-associated CD105 (endoglin) gene (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that very few genes are involved in the last steps of the apoptotic cascade in breast cancer, among them one of the X-chromosome RBM family. They also support the relatively unexplored link between apoptosis and angiogenesis.

• Authors: E Martín-Garabato, F Martínez-Arribas, M Pollán, A R Lucas, J Sánchez, J Schneider
• Journal: Cancer genomics & proteomics (Cancer Genomics Proteomics) 2008 May-Aug Vol. 5 Issue 3-4 Pg. 169-73 ISSN: 1109-6535 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 18820371 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• RBM10 protein, human
• RNA-Binding Proteins
• Caspase 3

Topics

• Apoptosis (genetics)
• Breast Neoplasms (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Caspase 3 (genetics)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Chromosomes, Human, X
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• RNA-Binding Proteins (genetics)