Molecular analysis of the topoisomerase II alpha gene and its expression in human ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
DNA topoisomerase II enzymes are key targets for the group of anti-tumour agents known as topoisomerase inhibitors. In general, cell lines which express high levels of topoisomerase II are sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of the topoisomerase poisons. The levels of topoisomerase II expression in tumour biopsies may therefore predict response to treatment with enzyme inhibitors. In the current study we have analysed ovarian tumours for expression of topoisomerase II alpha and genetic change at the topoisomerase II alpha locus on chromosome 17.


METHODS
We have used methodology which allows the sequential extraction of protein and genomic DNA from the same biopsy sample to study the topoisomerase II alpha locus and the expression in ovarian cancer. Topoisomerase II alpha expression was quantified by Western blot analysis in 54 tumours.


RESULTS
Topoisomerase II alpha expression was detected in 65% of ovarian tumours with a 16 fold range in level. In adenocarcinomas, the topoisomerase II alpha gene can become amplified due to its proximity to ERBB2 on chromosome 17q. Of 86 ovarian tumours studied only 1 had amplification of ERBB2 and none had amplification of topoisomerase II alpha a sequences.


CONCLUSIONS
Topoisomerase II alpha expression was detected in ovarian carcinomas by Western blot analysis. A sixteen-fold range in expression was detected with significantly higher levels of topoisomerase II alpha expression in advanced stage IV and grade III tumours. Molecular analysis of the topoisomerase II alpha locus failed to reveal any gross genetic alterations which could account for the variation in levels of expression.
van der Zee
A G
AG
Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
de Vries
E G
EG
Hollema
H
H
Kaye
S B
SB
Brown
R
R
Keith
W N
WN
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D007527:Isoenzymes; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II