[Expression and methylation of adenomatous polyposis coli gene in endometrioid adenocarcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Endometrial carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of female reproductive system, with an increasing incidence in China. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, a tumor suppressor gene, is expressed in many tissues, and has a certain relationship with ovarian cancer. This study was to observe the expression and DNA methylation of APC gene in endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and explore its correlations to the occurrence and development of this disease.


METHODS
The methylation, mRNA and protein expression of APC gene were detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in 30 specimens of normal proliferative endometrium, 30 specimens of atypical hyperplastic endometrium and 60 specimens of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.


RESULTS
The methylation rate of APC gene was significantly higher, the positive rates of APC mRNA and protein were significantly lower in endometrioid adenocarcinoma than in atypical hyperplastic endometrium and normal proliferative endometrium (65.0% vs. 33.3% and 23.3%, 33.3% vs. 63.3% and 73.3%, 30.0% vs. 50.0% and 66.7%,P<0.05). There was no significant difference between atypical hyperplastic endometrium and normal endometrium (P>0.05). APC methylation was positively correlated to APC mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression and DNA methylation of APC gene are certainly related with the occurrence and development of endometrioid adenocarcinoma.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P. R. China.
Bing
B
Qian
Pei-Qi
PQ
Ke
Li
L
Wang
Wen-Ji
WJ
Liu
Mei-Xiang
MX
Li
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger