The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) survivin is expressed in human testicular germ cell tumors and normal testes.
Deregulated apoptosis of germ cells may contribute to malignant transformation as well as male infertility. We analyzed expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis survivin by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs, n=28), normal testes (n=19) and testes with defective spermatogenesis (n=22). In a subset of samples (n=35), survivin transcript levels were quantified using real-time PCR. While survivin mRNA was expressed at high levels in undifferentiated TGCTs and normal testes, it was lost in mature teratomas and germ cell aplasia. Survivin expression in both normal and transformed germ cells is in contrast to its sharp differential expression in other tissues. Survivin expression correlates with the differentiation state of TGCTs and may be relevant for their tumorigenesis and malignant potential.
Weikert
Steffen
S
Department of Urology, Charité, University Medicine in Berlin, Joint Faculty of Medicine of the Free University Berlin and Humboldt University Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30 D-12200 Berlin, Germany. steffen.weikert@charite.de
Schrader
Mark
M
Krause
Hans
H
Schulze
Wolfgang
W
Müller
Markus
M
Miller
Kurt
K
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D000077022:Survivin; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000077022:Survivin