[Expression of metallothionein-3 in esophageal cancer and its correlations to expression of metallothionein-1 and -2].
OBJECTIVE
Metallothionein (MT)-3 can inhibit cell growth. Up to now, it is the only MT subtype with specific physiological function. This study was to investigate the expression of MT-3 in esophageal cancer and its correlations to the expression of MT-1 and MT-2.


METHODS
The expression of MT-1, -2 and -3 in 76 specimens of esophageal cancer and 10 specimens of esophageal diverticulum were detected by SP immunohistochemistry. The correlations of MT-3 expression to MT-1 and MT-2 expression were analyzed.


RESULTS
The expression level of MT-3 was significantly higher in esophageal cancer than in para-cancer normal tissues and benign esophageal lesions (Chi2=74.696, P<0.001). In tumor tissues, MT-3 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm. The expression level of MT-3 was related with differentiation (P=0.004), TNM stage (P=0.033), lymph node metastasis (P=0.017) and survival time (P=0.035), and negatively correlated to the expression levels of MT-1 and MT-2 (r=0.247, P=0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
MT-3 is overexpressed in esophageal cancer. Its expression is closely related with the differentiation, development and prognosis of esophageal cancer, and its roles are obviously different from those of MT-1 and MT-2.
Tian
Zi-Qiang
ZQ
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011,P. R. China. tizq12@vip.163.com
Wang
Xiao-Ling
XL
Wu
Wei
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis*; D000090023:Metallothionein 3; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000090023:Metallothionein 3; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D008668:Metallothionein