Expression of a novel marker, Ubc9, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (Ubc9) is a novel enzyme involved in posttranslational modification of cellular proteins. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of Ubc9 in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
SCCHN specimens were stained with anti-Ubc9 antibodies, scored using a semiquantitative method, and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Forty-six tumors were stained, 26 of which included adjacent mucosa. Ubc9 was significantly upregulated in the malignant and peritumoral tissues compared with mucosa from normal individuals. In peritumoral tissues, Ubc9 expression was detected in the basal and suprabasal epithelial layers. No Ubc9 was detected in epithelial cells in normal mucosa. These differences in Ubc9 expression were statistically significant (p < .0001). Tumor Ubc9 expression significantly correlated with clinical and pathologic stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Ubc9 is significantly overexpressed in the primary SCCHN tumors and peritumoral mucosa compared with normal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that Ubc9 may play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of SCCHN.
Ronen
Ohad
O
Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Malone
James P
JP
Kay
Paul
P
Bivens
Christopher
C
Hall
Kelly
K
Paruchuri
Lakshmi P
LP
Mo
Yin-Yuan
YY
Robbins
K Thomas
KT
Ran
Sophia
S
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D044763:Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000098843:Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme UBC9
D015415:Biomarkers; D044763:Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes; D000098843:Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme UBC9