Differential expression of molecular markers in arsenic- and non-arsenic-related urothelial cancer.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the mechanisms of arsenic-related urothelial cancer (AsUC). The aim of this study was to reveal the differential expression of molecular markers between AsUC and non-arsenic-related UC (non-AsUC).


METHODS
Tissues of AsUC (n=33), non-AsUC (n=20) and normal bladder urothelia from patients with benign diseases (n=4) were examined for multiple selected molecular markers responsible for various cellular functions, includingglutathione, GST-pi, Bcl-2, p53 and c-Fos.


RESULTS
The mean cellular glutathione content of normal mucosal samples (33.4 +/- 7.2 microM/mg protein) was significantly higher than either non-AsUC (22.8 +/- 1.8, p = 0.04) or AsUC (16.4 +/- 1.6, p = 0.002). The glutathione content of non-AsUC was higher than that of AsUC (p = 0.012). The expressions of Bcl-2 and c-Fos in AsUC were significantly higher than those in non-AsUC (p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The carcinogenic pathway for AsUC is different, in part, from that of non-AsUC. Cellular glutathione contents may be down-regulated during urothelial carcinogenesis. Bcl-2 and c-Fos may play important roles in arsenic-mediated carcinogenesis of the urothelium.
Institute of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
Tzyh-Chyuan
TC
Hour
Yeong-Shiau
YS
Pu
Chia-Chi
CC
Lin
Shi-Wei
SW
Huang
Jun
J
Chen
Allen W
AW
Chiu
Chien-Jen
CJ
Chen
Chao-Yuan
CY
Huang
D020261:Arsenic Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005978:Glutathione