title: Overexpression of p27BBP in head and neck carcinomas and their lymph node metastases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  p27(BBP) is a regulator of ribosome assembly and an essential nuclear and cytoplasmic component of eukaryotes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the immunochemical distribution of p27(BBP) in head and neck carcinomas, in the associated normal mucosa, and in regional lymph nodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  p27(BBP) is detectable in mucosal cells but is overexpressed in carcinomas, highly concentrated in large polymorphous nucleoli, and even larger and more evident in lymph node metastatic foci. Western blotting confirms increased p27(BBP) in carcinomas versus normal mucosa and also in metastatic versus normal lymph nodes. The overexpression of p27(BBP) corresponds to mRNA upregulation in carcinomas. Unexpectedly, a 52-kDa band specifically reacting with antibodies to p27(BBP) was observed in several carcinomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  p27(BBP) alterations are common events in the transition to malignancy and are probably involved in squamous carcinoma progression. Immune reagents raised to p27(BBP) may provide additional diagnostic tools for surgical pathology of tumor boundaries and lymph nodes. The 52-kDa band may represent an abnormal form of p27(BBP) expressed by transformed airway epithelia.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngological Clinic II, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosso
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortesina
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanvito
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donadini
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biffo
authors.forename: Pier Carlo
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Marchisio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; C109284:EIF6 protein, human; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins