Expression of Telomere Binding Proteins (RAP1 and POT1) in Renal Cell Carcinoma and Their Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters.

Telomere stability is indispensable for continuous proliferation of cells. Telomere structure is maintained by group of six proteins termed as shelterin. RAP1 and POT1 proteins are significant members of shelterin complex. Expression of RAP1 and POT1 are crucial for telomere maintenance and hence uncontrolled division of cells. Notably, expression of RAP1 and POT1 is unknown in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In view of these facts, the present study was initiated to investigate the expression of RAP1 and POT1 in RCC and their relationships with clinicopathological features. In total 65 histopathologically confirmed RCC cases and their adjacent normal renal parenchyma were analyzed for gene expression. The mRNA expression of telomere binding proteins RAP1 and POT1 were measured using RT-PCR. Expression of RAP1 was observed to be significantly increased in tumour tissues as compared to corresponding normal renal tissues (P = 0.004). The gene expression of RAP1 was documented to be related to grades of RCC (P = 0.002) and subtypes of RCC (P = 0.01). Although, POT1 expression was up-regulated in RCC tissue, however it was not statistically significant. Also, POT1 expression was not related to grades, stages and subtypes of RCC. This is the first study which shows correlation RAP1 with grades and subtypes of RCC.