title: The endothelin axis in the metastatic process of colon carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The endothelin axis has recently emerged as an important factor in tumour metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the endothelin axis and its downstream pathways related to metastasis in colon carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  mRNA expression of 36 genes associated with the endothelin axis in 18 non-metastatic and 20 metastatic colon carcinomas with individual-matched normal mucosa were evaluated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen out of 36 genes, including endothelin A receptor, were significantly overexpressed in the tumour tissue compared to the individual-matched normal mucosa. Seven out of 36 genes, including endothelin B receptor, were significantly down-regulated in tumour tissue. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was significantly down-regulated in the metastatic patients compared to the non-metastatic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that central genes in the endothelin axis are overexpressed when colon tissue becomes malignant. Down-regulation of PTEN may promote a progressive phenotype of colon carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Quality and Research Department, Ostfold Hospital Trust, 1603 Fredrikstad, Norway. l.a.sorby@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Lise Aagaard
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sørby
authors.forename: Charlotte Ramstad
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kleiveland
authors.forename: Solveig Norheim
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Ida Rashida Khan
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Bukholm
authors.forename: Morten Bj
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D016232:Endothelins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins