Melanoma antigen-encoding gene-1 expression in invasive gastric carcinoma: correlation with stage of disease.
BACKGROUND
A human melanoma antigen-encoding gene-1, MAGE-1 gene, may be linked to the neoplastic transformation. In the present study, we extended this association with human gastric carcinomas. Specifically, we focused on the relationship between MAGE-1 gene expression and the histologic stage of gastric carcinoma.


METHODS
We used a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) to analyze the expression of the MAGE-1 gene in 38 endoscopic biopsy specimens from gastric carcinomas. We also studied the relationship between the expression of MAGE-1 gene and the genetic expression of several tumor invasion-related factors, including 72 kD type IV collagenase (MMP2), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).


RESULTS
Eleven of the 38 tumor samples (28.9%) expressed the MAGE-1 gene. MAGE-1 gene expression was present only in two of the 38 adjacent nontumor samples (5.3%). MAGE-1 gene expression in the 38 tumor samples was significantly correlated with the histological stage of disease (P = 0.0008), especially with the depth of histologically confirmed tumor invasion (t1 vs. t2 or greater, P = 0.00048). The expression of MAGE-1 gene correlated with the expression of MMP2 (P = 0.0064), uPA (P = 0.0390), and PDGF-A (P = 0.00018).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the MAGE-1 gene may be activated in gastric carcinomas during periods of their development or invasion. In addition, a relationship between MAGE-1 gene expression and expression of invasion-related factors has been demonstrated.
Katano
M
M
Department of Surgery, Saga Medical School, Japan. katano@post.saga-med.ac.jp
Nakamura
M
M
Morisaki
T
T
Fujimoto
K
K
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001706:Biopsy; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm