title: Protein kinase C eta is associated with progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The expression of all eleven PKC-isoforms in clear cell RCCs (ccRCC) and in the corresponding normal renal tissue was quantified. A possible association of PKC-isoforms with histopathological parameters was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Proteins were isolated from tumor and normal tissue of 43 patients with ccRCC. Expression of PKC-isoforms were quantified by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both, ccRCCs and the corresponding normal renal tissue, all PKC-isoforms apart from PKC gamma and theta were detectable. Striking associations between PKC-isoforms and histopathological parameters were observed: (i) a 3-fold increase in PKC eta of grade 3 and 4 versus grade 1 and 2 tumors (p = 0.025), (ii) a decrease of PKC alpha in tumor versus normal tissue of 18% (p = 0.020) and (iii) a 20% increase of PKC zeta in grade 3 and 4 versus grade 1 and 2 tumors (p = 0.092).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major result is a clear correlation of PKC eta expression with tumor progression. This observation-is in agreement with the known oncogenic properties of PKC eta. Similarly, oncogenic PKC zeta also increased with tumor progression. PKC alpha, with known tumor-suppressor properties, was decreased in ccRCC versus normal tissue. These findings may become important for both classification and treatment of ccRCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. brenner@mail.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Walburgis
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Färber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herget
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiesner
authors.forename: Jan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hengstler
authors.forename: Joachim W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Thüroff
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; C081975:protein kinase C eta; D011493:Protein Kinase C