title: In situ hybridization detection of homeobox genes reveals distinct expression patterns in oral squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the expression of three homeobox genes (HOXA7, PITX1 and PRRX1) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and the relationship of such expression to certain distinct histopathological features of OSCC and in comparison to adjacent non-neoplastic epithelium (NT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Digoxigenin-labelled riboprobes that are specific for each homeobox gene were generated and in situ hybridization was carried out on frozen sections. In NT samples, HOXA7 and PITX1 transcripts were found more frequently in all epithelial layers, while PRRX1 was expressed in the basal layer. With OSCC samples, expression of the three genes was associated with all histological features. However, the HOXA7 and PITX1 signals were more intense in sheets and nests and PRRX1 in small nests and isolated cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HOXA7, PIXT1 and PRRX1 homeobox genes have different patterns of expression in OSCC depending on its histological features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Libório
authors.forename: Thais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Acquafreda
authors.forename: Luciana F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Matizonkas-Antonio
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Silva-Valenzuela
authors.forename: Alberto R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: Fabio D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: C115962:HOXA7 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C082157:PRRX1 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C101485:homeobox protein PITX1