Role of SALL4 in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Journal of Biomedical Science

Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan⁶  Samaneh Boroumand-Noughabi⁵  Afsaneh Javdani Mallak⁴  Alireza Tavassoli²  Reza Raeisossadati³  Meysam Moghbeli³  Mohammad Mahdi Forghanifard¹ 

[1] Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Cheshmeh-Ali Boulevard, Sa’dei Square, P.O.Box: 3671639998, Damghan, Iran;Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Research Center, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran;Division of Human Genetics, Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;Young Researchers Club and Elites, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran;Department of Pathology, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;Medical Genetics Research Center, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

关键词: Self-renewal;    Real-time PCR;    Expressional analysis;    SALL4;    Colorectal cancer;   

Others  :  824308
DOI  :  10.1186/1423-0127-20-6

 received in 2012-11-22, accepted in 2013-01-25,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Human cancer cells resemble stem cells in expression signatures leading them to share some features, most notably, self-renewal. A complex network of transcription factors and signaling molecules are required for continuance of this trait. SALL4 is a zinc finger transcriptional activator crucial for maintenance of self-renewal in stem cells; however, its expression level has not yet been elucidated in colorectal tumor cells. To determine this level and probable clinicopathological consequences, its expression was analyzed.

Methods

SALL4 expression in fresh tumoral and distant tumor-free tissues from 46 colorectal samples was compared by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Greater than a two-fold increase in SALL4 expression was detected in 87% of tumors vs. normal related tissues. SALL4 expression was significantly correlated with tumor cell metastasis to lymph nodes, especially in moderately-differentiated tumor samples (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of SALL4 mRNA expression were significantly associated with younger than older patients with tumor cells in stages I and II (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results indicate a relationship between SALL4 expression and tumor cell metastasis to lymph nodes and consequent advancement of tumors to advanced stages III and IV. Along with the promising evidence of its role in self-renewal in various cancers, SALL4 may have a role in progression, development and maintenance of colorectal cancers.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Forghanifard et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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