[Expression of autophagy-related genes Beclin1 and MAPLC3 in non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
Some studies have indicated that the down-regulation of autophagy-related genes might result in tumorigenesis. This study was to investigate the expression and significance of autophagy-related genes Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (MAPLC3) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
The expression of Beclin1 and MAPLC3 in tumor tissues, adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and normal tissues from 72 specimens of NSCLC were detected by immunofluorescence staining, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The positive rates of Beclin1 and MAPLC3 were significantly lower in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal tissues (8.3% vs. 100% and 100% for Beclin1, chi2=199.40, P<0.01; 13.9% vs. 100% and 100%for MAPLC3, chi2=182.75, P<0.01). The mRNA levels of Beclin1 and MAPLC3 were significantly lower in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal tissues (1.30+/- 0.44 vs. 1.69+/-0.59 and 1.67+/-0.48 for Beclin1, F=6.6, P<0.01; 4.55+/-1.23 vs. 6.73+/-1.31 and 6.90+/-1.87 for MAPLC3, F=14.1, P<0.01). The protein levels of Beclin1 and MAPLC3 were significantly lower in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal tissues (3.49+/-0.72 vs. 5.31+/-1.16 and 6.33+/-1.58 for Beclin1, F=9.73, P<0.01; 2.43+/-0.35 vs. 3.12+/-0.73 and 3.41+/-0.90 for MAPLC3, F=3.22, P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of autophagy-related genes are down-regulated in NSCLC, which may relate to tumorigenesis and development of lung cancer.
Liu
Quan
Q
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
Wang
Jian-Jun
JJ
Pan
Yong-Cheng
YC
Meng
Li-Feng
LF
Zhan
Xi
X
Zheng
Qing-Feng
QF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000071186:Beclin-1; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; C477012:MAP1LC3A protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger