Expression pattern of the pendrin and sodium/iodide symporter genes in human thyroid carcinoma cell lines and human thyroid tumors.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study we analyzed the pattern of pendrin (PDS) and sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression in some thyroid carcinoma cell lines and a series of thyroid tumoral tissues.


METHODS
Total RNA was extracted from all cell lines and from 53 tissues, and gene expression was examined by RT-PCR. Semiquantitative 'multiplex' RT-PCR was used to assess variations in PDS gene expression among various thyroid pathologies. Pendrin expression was determined in the thyroid cell lines by Western blot analysis.


RESULTS
PDS mRNA was expressed in all the cells investigated; conversely, NIS mRNA was detectable only in the B-CPAP cells. Pendrin protein was expressed in B-CPAP and WRO cell lines, reduced in FRO and absent in ARO cells. PDS gene expression was not detected in 5 of 25 differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) while NIS gene was not expressed in six carcinomas. A concordance expression of both PDS and NIS transcripts was found in 20 DTC. In contrast, 2 neoplastic thyroid tissues carrying undetectable PDS mRNA maintained NIS transcript, and 3 thyroid carcinomas negative for NIS mRNA retained the expression of PDS gene. A semiquantitative analysis showed that the mean PDS mRNA levels were significantly decreased in DTC tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that pendrin expression: (i) is present in the more differentiated thyroid carcinoma cell lines studied; (ii) is reduced or absent in DTC tissues; (iii) may not correlate with the NIS expression. These alterations may contribute to the loss of iodine concentration ability detected in thyroid tumors.
Arturi
F
F
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università di Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Russo
D
D
Bidart
J M
JM
Scarpelli
D
D
Schlumberger
M
M
Filetti
S
S
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters; D027981:Symporters; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters; D027981:Symporters; D000099209:Sodium-Iodide Symporters; C085609:SLC26A4 protein, human