Widespread expression of γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase suggests it is not a general tumor marker.
γ-Glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) contributes to the γ-glutamyl cycle that regulates glutathione metabolism. Although GGCT has been implicated in several studies as a possible cancer marker, little is known about its distribution in cells and tissues. The authors investigated GGCT expression in normal tissues and tumors using Western blots and immunohistochemistry with a novel anti-GGCT monoclonal antibody. GGCT was detected in most organs and was mainly found in epithelial cells. Although the intracellular distribution was mainly cytoplasmic, in some situations, nuclear staining was strong. A significant increase in the expression of GGCT was found in tumors of the lung, esophagus, stomach, bile duct, and uterine cervix. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in expression in renal and urothelial tumors. These results suggest that GGCT may be a biomarker of tumors in a limited range of organs.
Department of Human Pathology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Tomonari
T
Amano
Yoshinobu
Y
Eishi
Tetsuo
T
Yamada
Keisuke
K
Uchida
Kana
K
Minegishi
Tomoki
T
Tamura
Daisuke
D
Kobayashi
Kawachi
K
Hiroshi
Takashige
T
Suzuki
Philip G
PG
Board
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D005722:gamma-Glutamylcyclotransferase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005722:gamma-Glutamylcyclotransferase