Expression of 14-3-3sigma in cervical squamous cell carcinomas: relationship with clinical outcome

Oncol Rep. 2009 Jul;22(1):11-5. doi: 10.3892/or_00000399.

Abstract

14-3-3 sigma (sigma) sequesters the cdc2-cyclin B1 complex in the cytoplasm resulting in G2 arrest. Inactivation and reduced expression of 14-3-3sigma have been reported in a varity of cancers. In the present study, we investigated the expression of 14-3-3sigma in a series of 297 cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to clarify the prognostic value. Using immunohistochemical methods we found high levels of 14-3-3sigma protein in cytoplasm of 143 (48.1%), in nucleus of 113 (38.0%) and in both cytoplasm and nucleus of 147 (49.5%) cases, whereas, low levels were present in cytoplasm of 154 (51.9%), in nucleus of 184 (62.0%) and in both cytoplasm and nucleus of 150 (50.5%) cases. Levels of 14-3-3sigma mRNA measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 14-3-3sigma protein were not significant associated. 14-3-3sigma expression in cytoplasm, nuclear and cytoplasm/nuclear were not significantly correlated to disease-specific survival or disease-free survival. In conclusion, reduced expression of 14-3-3sigma protein in the cytoplasm and shuttle of 14-3-3sigma protein into the nucleus in a relatively high number of cases indicate that 14-3-3sigma may be important in the carcinogenesis of cervical SCCs by two different mechanisms; reduction and nuclear translocation of 14-3-3sigma protein. Furthermore, the non-significant correlation between expression levels of 14-3-3sigma mRNA and protein support a post-transcriptional regulation in cervical SCCs. The protein has no prognostic value in cervical cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Exonucleases / analysis*
  • Exonucleases / genetics
  • Exoribonucleases
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Risk Assessment
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • 14-3-3 Proteins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Exonucleases
  • Exoribonucleases
  • SFN protein, human