title: FHIT gene sequence variants and reduced Fhit protein expression in glioblastoma multiforme.
abstract: Molecular studies have an important role in the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) development. The occurrence of FHIT gene alterations, which has an important role in different cancers, has not yet been studied well in GBM. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of alterations of FHIT gene sequence and protein expression in the GBMs. Sequence alterations in exons 5-9 of the FHIT gene were screened in 63 GBMs using the single-strand conformational polymorphism method, followed by DNA sequencing. Additionally, the level of Fhit protein expression in tissues of 48 tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In our investigation, FHIT gene alterations in the coding region were detected in 11 of the 63 GBM cases (17.5%). Two different sequence variants were determined: one novel missense variant (G-->C transition at codon 49) and one previously described silent alteration (C-->T transition at codon 88). Using web-based programs, such as SIFT and ESEfinder, it was determined that both alterations might have caused significant modification on protein function. In addition, we identified a previously reported an intronic polymorphism (T-->A transition at IVS8-17) in 47.5% of cases as a similar rate (45%) in the control group. Moreover, it was observed that Fhit protein expression was reduced in 87.5% of tumors. In conclusion, the reduction or loss of Fhit protein expression by genetic alterations or epigenetic mechanisms in GBM might be associated with brain tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. gcecener@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Gulsah
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cecener
authors.forename: Berrin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tunca
authors.forename: Unal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Egeli
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bekar
authors.forename: Gulnur
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.forename: Sahsine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tolunay
authors.forename: Kaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aksoy
mesh_terms: D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase
chemical_list: D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase