Overexpression of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 in testicular germ cell tumours.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of Mcl-1 in testicular germ cell tumours in order to clarify the role of this anti-apoptotic factor in these tumours. Various members of the Bcl-2 family have been implicated in the apoptotic mechanisms regulating germ cell apoptosis. Mcl-1 is an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member and has recently been reported to be related to the progression of malignancy; however, the involvement of Mcl-1 in the development of germ cell tumours is still unknown.


RESULTS
Mcl-1 expression in testicular germ cell tumours was investigated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). By immunohistochemistry, overexpression of Mcl-1 was present in all germ cell tumours that were studied, including embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumour, as well as choriocarcinoma and teratoma. In teratomas, Mcl-1 was widely distributed in the epithelial, myogenic, neural and mesenchymal components. RT-PCR analysis after microdissection revealed high levels of Mcl-1 mRNA in all tumour variants compared with non-neoplastic germ cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpression of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 may function to enhance the viability of testicular germ cells, thereby leading to tumorigenesis.
Sano
M
M
Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. msano@med.nihon-u.ac.jp
Nakanishi
Y
Y
Yagasaki
H
H
Honma
T
T
Oinuma
T
T
Obana
Y
Y
Suzuki
A
A
Nemoto
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018237:Germinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger