The expression of selenium-binding protein 1 is decreased in uterine leiomyoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Selenium has been shown to inhibit cancer development and growth through the mediation of selenium-binding proteins. Decreased expression of selenium-binding protein 1 has been reported in cancers of the prostate, stomach, colon, and lungs. No information, however, is available concerning the roles of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma.

METHODS:

Using Western Blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium in 20 patients who had undergone hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The patient age ranged from 34 to 58 years with a mean of 44.3 years. Proliferative endometrium was seen in 8 patients, secretory endometrium in 7 patients, and atrophic endometrium in 5 patients. Two patients showed solitary leiomyoma, and eighteen patients revealed 2 to 5 tumors. Tumor size ranged from 1 to 15.5 cm with a mean of 4.3 cm. Both Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry showed a significant lower level of selenium-binding protein 1 in leiomyoma than in normal myometrium. Larger tumors had a tendency to show a lower level of selenium-binding protein 1 than smaller ones, but the difference did not reach a statistical significance. The expression of selenium-binding protein 1 was the same among patients with proliferative, secretory, and atrophic endometrium in either leiomyoma or normal myometrium. Also, we did not find a difference of selenium-binding protein 1 level between patients younger than 45 years and older patients in either leiomyoma or normal myometrium.

CONCLUSIONS:

Decreased expression of selenium-binding protein 1 in uterine leiomyoma may indicate a role of the protein in tumorigenesis. Our findings may provide a basis for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms of selenium-binding protein 1 in tumorigenesis as well as the possible use of selenium in prevention and treatment of uterine leiomyoma.

• Authors: Peng Zhang, Cunxian Zhang, Xudong Wang, Fang Liu, C James Sung, M Ruhul Quddus, W Dwayne Lawrence
• Journal: Diagnostic pathology (Diagn Pathol) Vol. 5 Pg. 80 (Dec 09 2010) ISSN: 1746-1596 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21143902 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• SELENBP1 protein, human
• Selenium-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Blotting, Western
• Down-Regulation
• Female
• Humans
• Hysterectomy
• Immunohistochemistry
• Leiomyoma (chemistry, pathology, surgery)
• Middle Aged
• Selenium-Binding Proteins (analysis)
• Tumor Burden
• Uterine Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology, surgery)