title: [Research of expression of L-DOPA decarboxylase in laryngeal cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of L-DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) mRNA and protein in laryngeal cancer, and to determine the clinical significance of DDC in diagnosis and prognosis of laryngeal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total RNA was isolated from 106 tissue samples surgically removed from 53 laryngeal cancer patients. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodology based on SYBR Green I fluorescent dye was developed for the quantification of mRNA levels. In addition, Western Blot analysis was performed to detect the expression level of DDC protein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DDC mRNA expression in both primary (P= 0. 000) and recurrent (P=0. 033) laryngeal cancer samples downregulated significantly compared with their nonmalignant counterparts. Moreover, expression of DDC mRNA was not associated with age and histologic grade, but the significantly decreased mRNA were correlated with early TMN stage (P=0. 021). Additionally, DDC protein was detected in both cancerous and noncancerous tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression levels of DDC may play a vital role in the progression of laryngeal cancer, which can be served as a promising biomarker for the future clinical management of laryngeal cancer patients.
authors.forename: Shisheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Zhili
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001142:Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases; C000595218:DDC protein, human