[Expression and significance of hTERT, c-fos and c-jun in ameloblastoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of c-fos, c-jun and hTERT mRNA in human ameloblastoma (AB) and to determine their clinicobiological significance.


METHODS
In situ hybridization was performed to examine the expression of c-fos, c-jun and hTERT mRNA in AB and 7 cases of normal oral mucosa (NOM), 16 cases of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) were selected as controls. SPSS10.0 software package was used to perform chi2 test, Fisher's exact probability and Kendall correlation analysis.


RESULTS
There was no expression of c-fos and c-jun mRNA in NOM, while hTERT mRNA expressed positively only in 1/7 cases of NOM. c-fos, c-jun and hTERT mRNA expressed positively in KCOT and AB with different degrees. No significant difference at c-jun mRNA levels between KCOT or AB and NOM was found. Kendall correlation analysis showed positive correlation between c-fos and hTERT mRNA (r(k) = 0.024, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
c-fos gene plays an important role in the occurrence, development and proliferation of AB, possibly through acting as a cardinal subunit of AP-1 to participate the regulation of the telomerase activity.
Zhong
Ming
M
Department of Oral Pathology, College of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110002, China. zhongming_oral@yahoo.com.cn
Liu
Jing-Dong
JD
Wang
Jie
J
Liu
Jie
J
Li
Le
L
Hou
Lin
L
Zhang
Bo
B
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger