engleski

Wnt transcription factor LEF1 as a potential diagnostic marker of higher grade gliomas

Since the discovery of TCF/LEF family of transcription factors, their functions have been under intensive investigation in the area of cancer biology. Here we present the study on levels and changes of expression of LEF-1 in a set of astrocytic brain tumors. Glioblastomas were characterized with strong LEF-1 expression in 71% of samples. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in protein expression levels associated to 2 important values, weak expression of LEF-1 and strong expression of LEF-1. Analysis of variances performed on the total sample also indicated significant differences in the values of LEF-1 strong (F=5.498 ; p=0.002) and LEF-1 weak (F=4.255 ; p=0.008) with regard to malignancy grade. The F–ratios for two variables (LEF-1 strong and LEF-1 weak) indicate that differences between astrocytomas and glioblastomas were statistically significant (p<0.01). Discriminant function analysis further showed that just one variable –the strong expression of LEF-1, emerged to discriminate between astrocytomas and glioblastomas. This suggests that LEF-1 may serve as potential diagnostic marker. Based on our results we can conclude that astrocytic brain tumors are characterized by elevated levels of expression of LEF-1.

wnt signaling pathway; astrocytic brain tumor; transcription factors; TCF1; LEF1

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