engleski

Analysis of NF2 mRNA expression in sporadic colon cancer

NF2 protein product merlin is predominantly localized to the membrane-cytoskeleton interface and has a role in receiving extracellular signals and controlling cell-cell and cell-ECM communication, motility and differentiation. It has been shown recently that merlin inhibits Ras and Rac activation by uncoupling them from growth factor signals. Since these processes are essential for tumorigenesis and metastasis in general, we decided to examine the possible role of NF2 in sporadic colon cancer through analysis of its mRNA expression. The NF2 gene ( 22q12) is composed of 17 exons, with two alternatively spliced major isoforms, type I and II. Isoform type I lacks exon 16, whereas isoform type II contains exon 16 but lacks exon 17. These isoforms are variably expressed in some tissue types with possibly different functions. Real-time PCR was used to determine the NF2 mRNA expression, as well as expression of its mRNA isoforms type I and II in 60 pairs of colon cancer tumors and corresponding normal tissue. No statistically significant difference in total expression of NF2 gene as well as its isoforms I and II was observed in tumor tissue as compared to corresponding normal tissue. Results of mRNA expression were correlated with the patients' clinicopathological features. Expression of NF2 mRNA, as well as its isoforms I and II, was higher in moderately and poorly differentiated tumors and tumors classified as Dukes' C. Based on our results we can conclude that NF2 gene is involved in sporadic colon cancer development and progression.

NF2 gene; mRNA; sporadic colon cancer

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