Decreased Srcasm expression in hyperproliferative cutaneous lesions.
BACKGROUND
Src-family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) are signaling proteins that regulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Src-activating and signaling molecule (Srcasm) is a recently identified molecule that downregulates SFK activity and promotes keratinocyte differentiation. To determine if Srcasm expression correlates with keratinocyte differentiation, we characterized the level of Srcasm expression in some cutaneous lesions that exhibit increased keratinocyte proliferation.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed sections of randomly selected seborrheic keratoses (SKs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) were analyzed for Srcasm and Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining. Anti-Srcasm and anti-Ki-67 stainings were performed in parallel.


RESULTS
All SKs displayed decreased Srcasm staining in areas comprised of basaloid keratinocytes that exhibited an increased Ki-67 index. Higher Srcasm staining levels were detected near pseudohorn cysts where keratinocytes exhibited a lower Ki-67 index. All multicentric and nodular BCCs displayed a prominent loss of Srcasm staining in association with a marked increase in Ki-67 staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the hypothesis that Srcasm protein levels are decreased in the hyperproliferative keratinocytes found in SKs and BCCs. Increased Srcasm protein levels are detected in keratinocytes undergoing differentiation. Decreased Srcasm levels may be part of the pathophysiologic mechanism in cutaneous lesions, exhibiting keratinocyte hyperproliferation.
Meulener
Marc C
MC
Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Ayli
Elias E
EE
Elenitsas
Rosalie
R
Seykora
John T
JT
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C499446:TOM1L1 protein, human