BACKGROUND: One of the best known functions of the zinc-finger transcription factor Snail is to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Twist, a target genes of Snail, is known to promote the development of distant metastases in mice. Increasing evidence suggests that EMT plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and metastatic spread. METHODS: Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 12 malignant and 35 benign pheochromocytomas (PCC). Data were correlated with clinical characteristics and genetics. RESULTS: We found Snail expression in 13 (28%) of 47 primary PCC samples. Twist was expressed in 31 (66%) of 47 cases. Only one of 47 PCC showed E-cadherin expression. We observed Snail expression in 7 (58%) of 12 malignant PCC, whereas only 6 (17%) of 35 apparently benign PCC revealed Snail expression (P = 0.01). Furthermore, 11 (92%) of 12 malignant PCC, but only 20 (57%) of 35 benign PCC, revealed Twist expression (P = 0.03). Interestingly, all five metastases showed Snail and Twist expression. In normal adrenal medulla, Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin expression could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time that EMT markers Snail and Twist are expressed in PCC and that their expression is associated with malignancy. Our study supports a role for EMT in the malignant transformation of PCC.
BACKGROUND: One of the best known functions of the zinc-finger transcription factor Snail is to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Twist, a target genes of Snail, is known to promote the development of distant metastases in mice. Increasing evidence suggests that EMT plays a pivotal role in tumor progression and metastatic spread. METHODS:Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 12 malignant and 35 benign pheochromocytomas (PCC). Data were correlated with clinical characteristics and genetics. RESULTS: We found Snail expression in 13 (28%) of 47 primary PCC samples. Twist was expressed in 31 (66%) of 47 cases. Only one of 47 PCC showed E-cadherin expression. We observed Snail expression in 7 (58%) of 12 malignant PCC, whereas only 6 (17%) of 35 apparently benign PCC revealed Snail expression (P = 0.01). Furthermore, 11 (92%) of 12 malignant PCC, but only 20 (57%) of 35 benign PCC, revealed Twist expression (P = 0.03). Interestingly, all five metastases showed Snail and Twist expression. In normal adrenal medulla, Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin expression could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time that EMT markers Snail and Twist are expressed in PCC and that their expression is associated with malignancy. Our study supports a role for EMT in the malignant transformation of PCC.
Authors: Uma Shankavaram; Stephanie M J Fliedner; Abdel G Elkahloun; Jenifer J Barb; Peter J Munson; Thanh T Huynh; Joey C Matro; Hana Turkova; W Marston Linehan; Henri J Timmers; Arthur S Tischler; James F Powers; Ronald de Krijger; Bora E Baysal; Martina Takacova; Silvia Pastorekova; David Gius; Hendrik Lehnert; Kevin Camphausen; Karel Pacak Journal: Neoplasia Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 5.715
Authors: Joshua W Vincentz; Beth A Firulli; Andrea Lin; Douglas B Spicer; Marthe J Howard; Anthony B Firulli Journal: PLoS Genet Date: 2013-03-21 Impact factor: 5.917