BCL-2, BAX and P53 expression profiles in endometrial carcinoma as studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
BACKGROUND
Apoptotic genes regulate apoptosis by the action of their pro- and antiapoptotic products. Among the most important proteins are p53 and Bcl-x family proteins.


METHODS
The differential expression of these apoptotic genes were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological criteria in women with endometrial carcinoma. Thirty-three fresh tissues and 191 paraffin-embedded tissues were analyzed by real-time PCR for bcl-2/bax ratio and immunohistochemistry for p53, bcl-2 and bax proteins.


RESULTS
Bcl-2/bax ratio tended to increase in grade 3 samples compared to grade 1 tumors. Mutated p53 was frequently observed in serous-papillary endometrial carcinomas (p=0.018). Low (<10%) and moderate (10-50%) expression of mutated p53 was observed in tumors with high expression of bax protein (>0.7).


CONCLUSIONS
The Bcl-2/bax ratio is increased in grade 3 tumors. Bax protein shows a strong tendency for expression in the third group of clinical staging (stage IIb, III and IV). Poorly differentiated tumors highly expressed mutated p53.
Department of Virology, Papanikolaou Research Center of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Aghios Savvas, Regional Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens, 171 Alexandras Ave., 115 22, Athens, Greece.
Ourania
O
Porichi
Maria-Evangelia
ME
Nikolaidou
Aikaterini
A
Apostolaki
Aliki
A
Tserkezoglou
Niki
N
Arnogiannaki
Dimitrios
D
Kassanos
Loukas
L
Margaritis
Efstathia
E
Panotopoulou
D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
C494826:BAX protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein