title: Unbalanced acetylcholinesterase activity in larynx squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Previous reports have demonstrated that a non-neuronal cholinergic system is expressed aberrantly in airways. A proliferative effect is exerted directly by cholinergic agonists through the activation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. In cancer, particularly those related with smoking, the mechanism through which tumour cells respond to aberrantly activated cholinergic signalling is a key question. Fifty paired pieces of larynx squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent non-cancerous tissue were compared in terms of their acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). The AChE activity in non-cancerous tissues (0.248 ± 0.030 milliunits per milligram of wet tissue; mU/mg) demonstrates that upper respiratory tissues express sufficient AChE activity for controlling the level of acetylcholine (ACh). In larynx carcinomas, the AChE activity decreased to 0.157 ± 0.024 mU/mg (p=0.009). Larynx cancer patients exhibiting low ACh-degrading enzymatic activity had a significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.031). Differences in the mRNA levels of alternatively spliced AChE isoforms and molecular compositions were noted between glottic and supraglottic cancers. Our results suggest that the low AChE activity observed in larynx squamous cell carcinoma may be useful for predicting the outcome of patients.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A, School of Biology, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Castillo-González
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pelegrín-Hernández
authors.affiliation: Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nieto-Cerón
authors.affiliation: Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio Piñero
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Madrona
authors.affiliation: Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Noguera
authors.affiliation: Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: María Fuensanta
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: López-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: José Neptuno
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-López
authors.affiliation: Surgery Service of University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Cecilio J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: diego.hellin@um.es.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hellín-Meseguer
authors.affiliation: Molecular Therapy and Biomarkers Research Group, Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Ctra Madrid-Cartagena s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: juan.cabezas@carm.es.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cabezas-Herrera
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: Cholinergic system; Human airways; Larynx cancer; Non-neuronal compartment