Increased expression of EZH2, a polycomb group protein, in bladder carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Recent experiments have demonstrated that polycomb group gene enhancer zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is highly expressed in many cancer types. Therefore, we aim to demonstrate EZH2 gene expression in transitional cell bladder cancer.


METHODS
The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for detection of EZH2 mRNA levels in healthy and cancerous human bladder specimens. Also, expression of the particular protein was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to confirm RT-PCR results.


RESULTS
Gradually increased expression of EZH2 was detected by mRNA and protein levels in highly advanced bladder cancer specimens. In contrast, 100% of control subjects were negative for EZH2 expression. The expression of EZH2 was more frequent in G3 (92%) than G1-G2 (62-63%) and more frequent in T1-2 (72-85%) than Ta (56%). Western blot analysis results confirm the RT-PCR results.


CONCLUSIONS
EZH2 overexpression precedes high frequencies of proliferation and the gradual advance of bladder cancer. These observations suggest that deregulated expression of EZH2 is associated with bladder carcinoma.
Arisan
Serdar
S
Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital, 1st Urology Clinic Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey. serdar@arisan.org
Buyuktuncer
Elif Damla
ED
Palavan-Unsal
Narcin
N
Caşkurlu
Turhan
T
Cakir
Omer Onur
OO
Ergenekon
Erbil
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C498409:EZH2 protein, human; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2