[Expression and localization of merlin in vestibular schwannoma].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the expression and subcellular localization of merlin in vestibular schwannoma.


METHODS
Fifty four paraffin embedded vestibular schwannoma samples confirmed by pathology after resection were included in the study. The expression of merlin in vestibular schwannoma was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Nerve tissues that were resected during surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and Meniere's disease were used as control. Western blotting was used to analyze the electrophoresis migration of merlin in the acoustic neuroma. Image analysis was used to calculate the positive expression percentage of merlin in each individual. The expression percentage of merlin in the tumor tissue was compared with age and gender of the patients, clinical course of the tumor, tumor growth index, tumor diameter and clinical stage.


RESULTS
Merlin was expressed in 0 to 87.5% of the cells in vestibular schwannoma tissue with a mean of (46.66 +/- 5.75)%. There was a negative correlation between merlin expression percentage and tumor growth index. There were no correlations between merlin expression percentage and the age, gender, tumor diameter and clinical stage. There exists a difference for the location of merlin, mainly in the nucleus and perinucleus. There was also a cytoplasmic location. Merlin in the tumor tissue was shown by western blot to be in 65000 and 125000 positions.


CONCLUSIONS
Merlin was expressed in vestibular schwannoma tissue, with a different intra-cellular location. Merlin might also exist as a complex with other proteins in the tumor tissue.
Lü
Jing-Rong
JR
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Zou
Jing
J
Wu
Hao
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D025581:Neurofibromin 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D025581:Neurofibromin 2