title: CASC2a gene is down-regulated in endometrial cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromosome 10q25-q26 has been strongly correlated to endometrial tumorigenesis. A novel human gene, CASC2, has previously been identified at chromosome 10q26. One out of the three alternative transcripted forms, CASC2a, has been demonstrated to be mutated at a low frequency in endometrial cancer (EC). In this study, the role of the CASC2a gene in cancer has been further defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumour and corresponding normal tissues were analysed for CASC2a mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR and mutation status by PCR-based approaches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly decreased level of CASC2a transcripts was observed in 13/17 (76%) EC tissues, as well as in 6/9 (67%) colorectal cancers. Exogenous expression of CASC2a in undifferentiated AN3CA endometrial cancer cells inhibited cellular growth in anchorage-independent growth assays. Finally, infrequent CASC2a mutations were able to impair the gene function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altogether, our findings strongly suggest that CASC2a may act as a tumour suppressor gene, with both epigenetic and genetic alterations concurring to gene inactivation. Down-regulation of CASC2a may provide a growth advantage in EC cells.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Chimica Biomolecolare-C.N.R., 07040 Li Punti-Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baldinu
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manca
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Satta
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sini
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dessole
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cherchi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mara
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanda
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmieri
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015536:Down-Regulation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C484713:long non-coding RNA CASC2, human