title: The survivin -31 snp in human colorectal cancer correlates with survivin splice variant expression and improved overall survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Survivin is involved in the regulation of cell division and survival, two key processes in cancer. The majority of studies on survivin in colorectal cancer (CRC) have focused on protein expression and less is known about the expression of survivin splicing variants or survivin gene polymorphisms in CRC. In the present study, the mRNA levels of the five known isoforms of survivin as well as survivin protein were assessed in matched normal and neoplastic colorectal tissue. Moreover, the 9386 C/T and -31 G/C polymorphisms were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative RT-PCR was used to assess mRNA levels in fresh/frozen tissue samples. Protein levels were immunohistochemically evaluated on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Individuals were genotyped using real time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of all 5 survivin splice variants as well as survivin protein was elevated in colorectal carcinomas compared to normal tissue. Specific splice variant expression differentially correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Furthermore, both snps correlated with splice variant levels or their ratios in colorectal carcinomas while the -31 G/C snp may be related to CRC development and improved overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support a role of survivin in colorectal carcinogenesis while the -31 G/C snp may constitute a marker of survival.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Patras, Rion, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Antonacopoulou
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Floratou
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bravou
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kottorou
authors.forename: Fotinos-Ioannis
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Dimitrakopoulos
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marousi
authors.forename: Michalis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stavropoulos
authors.forename: Angelos K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Koutras
authors.forename: Chrisoula D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Scopa
authors.forename: Haralabos P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Kalofonos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D021381:Protein Transport; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000077022:Survivin
chemical_list: C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D000077022:Survivin