Expression and localization of homeodomain proteins DLX4/HB9 in normal and malignant human breast tissues

Petra J Neufing; Bill Kalionis; David J Horsfall; Carmela Ricciardelli; Juergen Stahl; Suchindra Vivekanandan; Wendy Raymond; Wayne D Tilley

Expression and localization of homeodomain proteins DLX4/HB9 in normal and malignant human breast tissues

Anticancer Res. 2003 Mar-Apr;23(2B):1479-88.

Authors

Petra J Neufing¹, Bill Kalionis, David J Horsfall, Carmela Ricciardelli, Juergen Stahl, Suchindra Vivekanandan, Wendy Raymond, Wayne D Tilley

Affiliation

¹ Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, University of Adelaide, Hanson Institute, PO BOx 14, Rundle Mall, Adelaide S.A. 5000, Australia. petra.neufing@imvs.sa.gov.au

PMID: 12820413

Abstract

Background: Alterations in the control of gene expression is a key event in neoplastic transformation. Investigating the expression of transcription factors such as homeodomain proteins may therefore allow better characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying the transformation process.

Materials and methods: Expression of homeodomain proteins DLX4 and HB9 was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemically in 24 breast tumors and their corresponding non-malignant tissue.

Results: Although the percentage of nuclei expressing both DLX4 (p = 0.001) and HB9 (p = 0.0001) is increased in breast carcinoma, their intensity of nuclear staining is decreased compared to non-malignant nuclei. Furthermore HB9 nuclear immunoreactivity decreased progressively with increasing tumor grade (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: These data suggest that the reduction in malignant nuclear DLX4 immunoreactivity is an earlier event in breast carcinogenesis than the progressive loss of HB9 expression observed with increasing tumor grade. With further study and in conjunction with standard criterion of pathology, these findings may help to predict the malignant behaviour of some breast cancers.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Antibodies, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
Antibodies, Neoplasm / immunology
Breast / chemistry*
Breast / metabolism
Breast Neoplasms / chemistry*
Breast Neoplasms / genetics
Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
Breast Neoplasms / pathology
Carcinoma / chemistry*
Carcinoma / genetics
Carcinoma / metabolism
Carcinoma / pathology
Carcinoma / secondary
Cell Nucleus / chemistry
DNA Probes
Disease Progression
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Homeodomain Proteins / analysis*
Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
Homeodomain Proteins / immunology
Humans
Immune Sera
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Lymphatic Metastasis
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
Neoplasm Proteins / immunology
RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
RNA, Messenger / genetics
RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Sheep
Transcription Factors / analysis*
Transcription Factors / biosynthesis
Transcription Factors / genetics
Transcription Factors / immunology

Substances

Antibodies, Neoplasm
DLX4 protein, human
DNA Probes
Homeodomain Proteins
Immune Sera
MNX1 protein, human
Neoplasm Proteins
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Neoplasm
Transcription Factors