The association between c-fos and c-jun expression and estrogen and progesterone receptors is lost in human endometrial cancer.
In normal human endometrium, expressions of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun parallel. We have previously shown that the expression of c-jun is related to proliferation and estrogen receptor (ER) status in endometrial epithelial cells. In this study, we analyzed endometrial cancer tissues for c-fos and c-jun messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by Northern blotting. Proto-oncogene expression was compared with ER and progesterone receptor (PR) status and with the proliferation marker Ki-67, as well as with histological grade and the use of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT). Messenger RNA for c-fos was detected in 35 of 37 cancer tissues and mRNA for c-jun in 37 of 40 tissue samples studied. No correlation was observed between the relative mRNA levels of c-fos and c-jun, suggesting distinct control mechanisms, if any, in endometrial cancer. In contrast to normal endometrium, there was no correlation between the proto-oncogene expression and Ki-67, ER or PR immunoreactivity. Neither were there any correlations between c-fos or c-jun expression and the histological grade of the tumor or preceding HRT. Our results reveal the loss of association between proto-oncogene expression and ovarian steroid receptors or cell proliferation in malignant endometrium. This gives further support to the hypothesis that alterations in estrogen and progesterone signalling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Salmi
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Carpén
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Rutanen
D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D016762:Genes, fos; D016758:Genes, jun; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone