Loss of communication in ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of connexins in ovarian cancer cell lines and assess correlation with chemosensitivity.


METHODS
Eight cell lines were used in this study. Cytotoxicity assays with carboplatin and paclitaxel were performed. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of gap junction proteins. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining of selective gap junction proteins (connexin 26 and 43) were performed.


RESULTS
All 11 connexins were detected with RT-PCR profiling in ovarian cancer cells. Further experiments were performed to analyze protein expression with connexins 26 and 43. Levels of connexin proteins did not correlate with gene expression obtained with RT-PCR. Results obtained with immunoblotting were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Carboplatin and paclitaxel sensitivities were determined and connexin 43 expression was associated with sensitivity to paclitaxel.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of connexins is regulated at the translational level in ovarian cancer. Sensitivity to paclitaxel maybe associated with connexin 43.
Toler
Chris R
CR
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
Taylor
Douglas D
DD
Gercel-Taylor
Cicek
C
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000072259:Connexin 26; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D000072259:Connexin 26; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel