title: Expression and mutational analysis of TGF-beta/Smads signaling in human cervical cancers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the molecular basis of TGF-beta1 function in cervical carcinogenesis, we explored the expression and mutational status of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta1 receptors, and Smads, the regulators of the TGF-beta1 signaling pathway, in human cervical cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta1 receptors, and Smads transcripts were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and sequence alteration was analyzed using RT-PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Genomic levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta1 receptors and Smads was also measured by quantitative genomic PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormal overexpression of TGF-beta1 and abnormal reduction of type II TGF-beta1 receptor were identified in 36% (18 of 50) and 20% (10 of 50) of cervical cancer tissues, respectively. 22% (11 of 50) in Smad2 and 14% (7 of 50) in Smad4 revealed tumor specific mRNA reduction less than a half of normal means. In addition, no evidence for sequence alterations of the gene was found by RT-PCR-SSCP analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates that disruption of TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway exist in human cervical cancer, suggesting that abnormal expressions of the member of TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway might contribute to the malignant progression of human cervical tumors via suppressing the tumor suppression function of TGF-beta1 1's tumor suppression function.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kyung-Do
authors: KD
authors: Ki
authors: Seo-Yun
authors: SY
authors: Tong
authors: Chu-Yeop
authors: CY
authors: Huh
authors: Jong-Min
authors: JM
authors: Lee
authors: Seon-Kyung
authors: SK
authors: Lee
authors: Sung-Gil
authors: SG
authors: Chi