Abnormal beta-catenin and reduced axin expression are associated with poor differentiation and progression in non-small cell lung cancer.
We studied the expression of axin and beta-catenin and their relation to clinicopathologic factors in 100 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) by immunohistochemical analysis. The mutation in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Preserved axin expression was significantly higher in well- and moderately differentiated NSCLC samples than in poorly differentiated ones. Reduced membranous expression of beta-catenin was shown in 80 cases, whereas 26 cases had aberrant nuclear expression. Poor differentiation and lymph node metastasis were associated significantly with reduced beta-catenin expression. Lower axin expression was related significantly to higher nuclear beta-catenin expression. However, this study failed to detect any exon 3 mutation in the beta-catenin gene in the 100 NSCLC samples. We conclude that reduced beta-catenin and axin expression might predict poor differentiation in NSCLC. Reduced axin expression, but not mutation in exon 3, might be an important explanation for the abnormal beta-catenin expression in NSCLC.
Xu
Hong-Tao
HT
Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Wang
Liang
L
Lin
Dong
D
Liu
Yang
Y
Liu
Nan
N
Yuan
Xi-Ming
XM
Wang
En-Hua
EH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D060466:Axin Protein; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D060466:Axin Protein; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin