title: Expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors on neoplastic growth and prediction of prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain, but exerts physiologic effects other than that on neurotransmitter in non-neuronal peripheral tissues and organs. GABA may affect cancer growth through activation GABA receptors. We investigated the gene expression of GABA receptors in tissue of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and non-cancerous tissues, and found that the gene expression of GABA receptor phenotypes was correlated with tumorigenesis and clinical prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one snap-frozen human samples of NSCLC tissues and paired non-cancerous tissues (5cm away from tumor) were analyzed. Gene expression of GABA receptors was detected by Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Survival times in relation to the expression of GABA receptor phenotypes were analyzed. Human NSCLC cell lines H1299, A549, H520, H460 and human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B were used to determine the phenotypes of GABA inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth. The effects of exogenous administration of GABA on H1299 cell growth were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gene expressions were significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in the paired non-cancerous tissues for GABAA receptor subunit α3 (GABR(A3), P = 0.030); for GABAA receptor subunit epsilon (GABRE, P = 0.036); and GABAB receptor subunit 2 (GABBR2, P = 0.005). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with high expression of GABBR2 gene and low expression of GABR(A3 )gene had a better prognosis (P < 0.05). The administration of GABA resulted in suppressed proliferation of NSCLC cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The use of the GABA receptor antagonist CGP35348 could reverse the inhibitory effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pattern of GABA receptor gene phenotype expression may be involved in the regulation of tumorigenesis. A high expression of GABBR2 with a low expression of GABR(A3) may predict a better outcome. The treatment with GABA attenuates cancer cell growth in vitro. The expression of GABA receptor may be not only promising genetic therapeutic targets but may also serve as valuable prognostic markers for NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yuanjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Jianfei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Dakai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoshun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Liyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hailing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Haibo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; C485503:GABBR2 protein, human; C546257:GABRA3 protein, human; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; C066430:CGP 35348