SRC-3/AIB1 protein and gene amplification levels in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

Cancer Lett. 2007 Jan 8;245(1-2):69-74. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.12.030. Epub 2006 Feb 3.

Abstract

It has been suggested that the steroid receptor coactivatior-3 (SRC-3) gene, also known as AIB1, ACTR, RAC3, p/CIP and TRAM-1, located at 20q12, plays an oncogenic role in several types of human cancers. In this study, we examined the encoded protein expression of SRC-3 and its copy number in 221 human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). In this ESCC series, the overexpression and increased copy number of SRC-3 gene was detected in 46 and 13% of ESCCs, respectively. In addition, overexpression of SRC-3 was observed more frequently in primary ESCCs in late T stages (T3/T4) than that in earlier T1/T2 stages (P<0.05), but no significant association of expression of SRC-3 and status of lymph node metastases was observed (P>0.05). These results suggest that overexpression of SRC-3, caused by gene amplification/gain or other molecular mechanisms, might provide a selective advantage for the development and local invasion of certain subsets of ESCC. In addition, a significant correlation (P<0.05) of overexpression of SRC-3 with increased cell proliferation (through detection of Ki-67 expression) was observed in these ESCCs. These findings suggest a potential role of SRC-3 in the control of ESCC cell proliferation; such may be responsible, at least in part, for tumorigenesis and/or progression of ESCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification*
  • Gene Dosage
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / analysis
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 3
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Trans-Activators / analysis
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Trans-Activators
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • NCOA3 protein, human
  • Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 3