PINCH-2 expression in cancers involving serosal effusions using quantitative PCR.
OBJECTIVE
The PINCH-2 gene was previously shown to be overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma compared with ovarian/peritoneal serous carcinoma in Affymetrix array analysis. The objective of the present study was to validate this finding at the mRNA and protein level.


METHODS
Effusions (n = 91; 71 ovarian and 10 breast carcinomas, 10 malignant mesotheliomas) were assayed for PINCH-2 mRNA expression using quantitative PCR. PINCH-2 protein expression was analysed in 37 effusions using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Quantitative PCR analysis showed significantly higher PINCH-2 mRNA levels in mesotheliomas compared with carcinomas (P = 0.004). Values of <10 copies were found exclusively in carcinoma effusions (25.4% of ovarian and 50% of breast carcinomas). However, PINCH-2 protein expression by flow cytometry did not differ significantly between the three cancer types. No association was observed between PINCH-2 levels and patient survival or expression of previously-studied molecules related to adhesion, metastasis and apoptosis inhibition in ovarian carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that PINCH-2 mRNA is overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma compared with carcinomas involving serosal cavities, and that low levels of this gene argue against the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The frequent PINCH-2 protein expression in all three studied cancers suggests a role for this molecule in cancer cell biology in effusions and merits further research.
Yuan
Y
Y
Division of Pathology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Dong
H P
HP
Nymoen
D A
DA
Nesland
J M
JM
Wu
C
C
Davidson
B
B
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018297:Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; C490235:LIMS2 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger