Expression pattern of the class I homeobox genes in ovarian carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Although some sporadic reports reveal the link between the homeobox (HOX) genes and ovarian carcinoma, there is no comprehensive analysis of the expression pattern of the class I homeobox genes in ovarian carcinoma that determines the candidate genes involved in ovarian carcinogenesis.


METHODS
The different patterns of expression of 36 HOX genes were analyzed, including 4 ovarian cancer cell lines and 4 normal ovarian tissues. Using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantification analysis, the specific gene that showed a significantly higher expression in ovarian cancer cell lines than in normal ovaries was selected, and western blot analysis was performed adding 7 ovarian cancer tissue specimens. Finally, immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical analyses were performed to compare the pattern of expression of the specific HOX gene between ovarian cancer tissue and normal ovaries.


RESULTS
Among 36 genes, 11 genes had a different level of mRNA expression between the cancer cell lines and the normal ovarian tissues. Of the 11 genes, only HOXB4 had a significantly higher level of expression in ovarian cancer cell lines than in normal ovaries (p=0.029). Based on western blot, immunohistochemical, and immunocytochemical analyses, HOXB4 was expressed exclusively in the ovarian cancer cell lines or cancer tissue specimens, but not in the normal ovaries.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest HOXB4 may be a novel candidate gene involved in ovarian carcinogenesis.
Hong
Jin Hwa
JH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Jae Kwan
JK
Park
Joong Jean
JJ
Lee
Nak Woo
NW
Lee
Kyu Wan
KW
Na
Jung Yeol
JY