Precise measurement of the E-cadherin repressor Snail in formalin-fixed endometrial carcinoma using protein lysate microarrays

Clin Exp Metastasis. 2008;25(6):679-83. doi: 10.1007/s10585-008-9149-3. Epub 2008 Feb 29.

Abstract

Over-expression of the zinc finger transcription factor Snail leads to down-regulation of the epithelial proteins E-cadherin and Cytokeratin 18 and to upregulation of the mesenchymal protein Vimentin. The aim of our study was to characterize for the first time Snail protein expression in formalin-fixed primary tumour tissues using protein lysate microarrays and correlate Snail with E-cadherin, Cytokeratin 18, and Vimentin protein abundances. In a first feasibility study, we examined 17 formalin-fixed endometrioid adenocarcinomas by protein lysate microarrays. Snail expression showed a statistical significant inverse correlation with the expression of E-cadherin (P<0.001). A trend for correlation between Snail and Cytokeratin 18 (P=0.043) and the tumour grade (P=0.074) was seen. For Snail and Vimentin no correlation was found (P=0.384). In conclusion, our results fit to the proposed function of Snail as a transcriptional repressor of E-cadherin and Cytokeratin 18 in primary human carcinomas and demonstrate the usefulness of protein lysate microarrays for the precise determination of proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal-transition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Formaldehyde
  • Humans
  • Keratin-18 / metabolism
  • Protein Array Analysis / methods*
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Tissue Fixation
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Keratin-18
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vimentin
  • Formaldehyde