Comprehensive analysis of the expression of the metastasis-associated gene 1 in human neoplastic tissue.
BACKGROUND
The metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) is overexpressed in several human cancers. Recent reports suggest that MTA1 may play a role in cancer progression either through transcription repression and/or hormone receptor interactions.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze MTA1 expression levels in a wide variety of human tumors.


METHODS
We used Oncomine, an Internet-based compendium of expression array data, to query more than 90 expression array studies, and we evaluated tissue microarrays composed of more than 3200 samples representing 138 different localized neoplasms.


RESULTS
Both analyses show that MTA1 is ubiquitously expressed in benign and malignant tumors. The highest levels of MTA1 expression were observed in diffuse B-cell lymphoma (mean staining intensity, 3.9/4), basal cell carcinomas (3.7/4), and consistently in tumors of neuroendocrine descent such as paraganglioma (3.7/4) and carcinoid tumor (3.1/4).


CONCLUSIONS
This study characterizes MTA1 expression for the first time across a broad spectrum of primary tumors, demonstrating expression in both benign and malignant neoplasms in addition to showing an association with neuroendocrine differentiation. We also found evidence that MTA1 expression is associated with tissue invasion but may not be sufficient for the progression to metastatic stages.
Hofer
Matthias D
MD
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Tapia
Coya
C
Browne
Tara Jane
TJ
Mirlacher
Martina
M
Sauter
Guido
G
Rubin
Mark A
MA
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012984:Software; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D015534:Trans-Activators
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C089320:MTA1 protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D006655:Histone Deacetylases