[Tissue transglutaminase protein expression in human brain tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate expression of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) protein and its role in carcinogenesis of brain tumors.


METHODS
tTG protein was detected by immunohistochemical method in 62 astrocytomas, 18 oligodendrogliomas, 30 benign meningiomas, 30 pituitary adenomas and 10 normal brain tissues.


RESULTS
(1) In brain tumors, tTG protein expression was heterogeneous locating in tumor and endothelial cells. (2) Immunoreactivity of tTG protein was significantly different between different grades of astrocytomas. (3) Expression intensity of tTG protein in glioma was higher than that in benign brain tumors. (4) Strong expression of tTG protein in tumor cell was obtained around the necrosis foci and apoptotic cells in astrocytomas.


CONCLUSIONS
tTG protein expression contributed to tumor malignant progression in malignant brain tumors.
Wang
Rui
R
Fujian Province Neurosurgery Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China. benmedical@sina.com.cn
Yang
Wei-zhong
WZ
Shi
Song-sheng
SS
Yang
Fa-duan
FD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins