Numerous types of
cancer exhibit increased lipogenesis and expression of lipogenic
enzymes and
transcription factors, including
sterol regulatory
element-binding protein-1. Lipogenic gene expression is upregulated at the
mRNA level, in concert with metabolic pathways associated with changes in expression and/or activity of lipogenic
transcription factors. However, this expression pattern in human gastric
carcinoma has not been elucidated. In this study, lipogenic gene expression in
cancer tissues was investigated using quantitative PCR. In patients with
gastric cancer,
carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase type I
mRNA and miR-33b were significantly downregulated, suggesting that miR-33b downregulation is mediated by conditions that also affect the expression and/or activity of
transcription factors involved in lipogenic gene expression. Consequently, the association between miR-33b and
gastric cancer may provide a novel strategy for the genetic diagnosis of
gastric cancer. However, additional studies including a larger number of samples are required to confirm these results.