Positive correlation between the expression of X-chromosome RBM genes (RBMX, RBM3, RBM10) and the proapoptotic Bax gene in human breast cancer.
In a recent report, it has been postulated that the ubiquitous RBM proteins might constitute a novel family of apoptosis modulators. We measured the expression of the X-chromosome RBM genes (RBMX, RBM3, and RBM10) in 122 breast cancers by means of differential RT-PCR. Using the same method, we also studied the expression of the apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2 and Bax. Markers of hormone dependence (estrogen and progesterone receptors), proliferation (Ki67 and DNA-ploidy), angiogenesis (VEGF and CD105), as well as oncogene (c-erb-B2), and tumor suppressor gene (p53) expression were also analyzed. The expression of all X-chromosome RBM genes was significantly associated with the expression of the proapoptotic Bax gene (RBMX, P=0.039; RBM3, P<0.001; RBM10 large variant, P<0.001; RBM10 small variant, P<0.001). Furthermore, the expression of both RBM10 variants was significantly associated with the expression of the VEGF gene (large variant, P=0.004; small variant, P=0.003). We also found an association of borderline significance (P=0.05) between the expression of RBM3, the large variant of RBM10 and wild-type p53. Expression of the small RBM10 variant, finally, was associated with high proliferation of the tumors (Ki67>or=20%; P=0.037). The expression of both RBM10 variants seems to be interdependent to a significant degree (r=0.26, P=0.006). From these results, it seems that the X-chromosome, through its RBM genes, plays a formerly unknown role in the regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in breast cancer.
Martínez-Arribas
Fernando
F
Fundación Tejerina-Centro de Patología de la Mama, Madrid, Spain.
Agudo
David
D
Pollán
Marina
M
Gómez-Esquer
Francisco
F
Díaz-Gil
Gema
G
Lucas
Raul
R
Schneider
José
J
D017209:Apoptosis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D034441:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C494826:BAX protein, human; D034441:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins; C512260:RBM10 protein, human; C099506:RBM3 protein, human; C510272:RBMX protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein