Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29) is a novel marker for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
Tripartite motif-containing 29 (TRIM29) belongs to the TRIM protein family, which has unique structural characteristics, including multiple zinc finger motifs and a leucine zipper motif. TRIM29, also known as ataxia telangiectasia group D complementing gene, possesses radiosensitivity suppressor functions. Although TRIM29 has been reported to be underexpressed in prostate and breast cancer, its expression in gastrointestinal cancer has not been studied.


METHODS
By use of real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed TRIM29 mRNA expression status with respect to various clinicopathological parameters in 124 patients with gastric cancer. An immunohistochemical study was also conducted.


RESULTS
The expression of TRIM29 was far higher in gastric cancer tumor tissue. Increased TRIM29 mRNA expression was markedly associated with such parameters as histological grade, large tumor size, extent of tumor invasion, and lymph node metastasis. In the TRIM29 high-expression group, it was an independent predictor for lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, patients with high TRIM29 mRNA expression showed a far poorer survival rate than those with low TRIM29 mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
TRIM29 expression may serve as a good marker of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.
Kosaka
Yoshimasa
Y
Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 4546, Tsurumihara, Beppu, 874-0838, Japan.
Inoue
Hiroshi
H
Ohmachi
Takahiro
T
Yokoe
Takeshi
T
Matsumoto
Toshifumi
T
Mimori
Koshi
K
Tanaka
Fumiaki
F
Watanabe
Masahiko
M
Mori
Masaki
M
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C087296:TRIM29 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors