title: Metallothionein gene expression in renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of low-molecular weight, cysteine-rich proteins. In general, MT is known to modulate three fundamental processes: (1) the release of gaseous mediators such as hydroxyl radical or nitric oxide, (2) apoptosis and (3) the binding and exchange of heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium or copper. Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between the expression of MT with invasion, metastasis and poor prognosis in various cancers. Most of the previous studies primarily used immunohistochemistry to analyze localization of MT in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). No information is available on the gene expression of MT2A isoform in different types and grades of RCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, total RNA was isolated from 38 histopathologically confirmed cases of RCC of different types and grades. Corresponding adjacent normal renal parenchyma was taken as control. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) analysis was done for the MT2A gene expression using β-actin as an internal control. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MT2A gene expression was found to be significantly increased (P < 0.01) in clear cell RCC in comparison with the adjacent normal renal parenchyma. The expression of MT2A was two to three-fold higher in sarcomatoid RCC, whereas there was no change in papillary and collecting duct RCC. MT2A gene expression was significantly higher in lower grade (grades I and II, P < 0.05), while no change was observed in high-grade tumor (grade III and IV) in comparison to adjacent normal renal tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first report of the expression of MT2A in different types and grades of RCC and also these data further support the role of MT2A in tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Deeksha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ujjawal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Shrawan Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Arup Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prasad
keywords: Clear cell carcinoma; Real time polymerase chain reaction; grade; metallothionein; renal cell carcinoma
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