engleski

Loss of heterozygosity analysis at the NF2 gene locus 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. Since these processes are essential for tumorigenesis and metastasis in general, we decided to examine the possible role of NF2 in sporadic colon cancer development and progression. We examined 130 cases of human sporadic colon cancer and corresponding normal tissue samples to evaluate the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the NF2 gene loci. Three VNTR intragenic polymorphic markers, NF2CAIV, NF2CAV and NF2TET were analysed. NF2 LOH was detected in 20.8% of informative tumours. No statistically significant correlation was found between NF2 LOH and histological grade of tumours. LOH was present in 5.9% of well, 35.2% of moderately and 38.5% of poorly differentiated tumours. A positive trend was observed between NF2 LOH and Dukes' stage of tumours: NF2 LOH was detected in 16.0% of Dukes' A, 26.7% of Dukes' B, and 37.1% of Dukes' C tumours. Since NF2 LOH was more frequent in more advanced, metastatic tumours, this implicates NF2 in sporadic colon cancer development and progression.

NF2; LOH; sporadic colon cancer

nije evidentirano