title: E-cadherin and DAP kinase in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and corresponding lymph node metastases.
abstract: E-cadherin and DAP kinase have been implicated as 'invasion suppressor' genes in human cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the methylation status of E-cadherin and DAP kinase and the expression of the protein in the metastatic lesions and to compare it with the expression in the primary tumor. Methylation-specific PCR of the DAP kinase and E-cadherin promoter was performed in 28 primary adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and in 13 corresponding regional lymph node metastases. The presence of E-cadherin and DAP kinase protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Metastatic lymph nodes showed a significant different expression profile from the primary tumor. E-cadherin methylation was observed in 8/28 (29%) and loss of protein expression was observed in 16/28 (57%) of pancreatic carcinomas. E-cadherin methylation was observed in 7/13 (54%) and loss of protein expression was observed in 11/13 (85%) lymph node metastases (p=0.047). DAP kinase methylation occurred in 11/28 (39%) pancreatic carcinomas and loss of protein expression was observed in 13/28 (46%). DAP kinase was methylated in 6/13 (46%) lymph node meta-stases and loss of protein expression was observed in 10/13 (77%) (p=0.039). Comparing primary tumor and corresponding lymph node metastases in 13 cases, the status of E-cadherin methylation was discordant in 2 cases. The protein expression pattern of E-cadherin and DAP kinase was discordant in 4 and 3 cases respectively. Unmethylated tumor samples did not express E-cadherin in 12 and DAP kinase protein in 6 cases. Our results demonstrate that reduction of E-cadherin and DAP kinase expression is more frequent in lymph node metastases than in the primary tumor and methylation of the promoter region contributes to this reduction; however, an alternative mechanism of inactivation seems to exist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr 20a, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Temuujin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dansranjavin
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Möbius
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tannapfel
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittekind
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hauss
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Witzigmann
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D015820:Cadherins; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases