Differential expression of MMAC/PTEN in glioblastoma multiforme: Relationship to localization and prognosis

Tetsuro Sano, Huai Lin, Xiashan Chen, Lauren A. Langford, Dimpy Koul, Melissa L. Bondy, Kenneth R. Hess, Jeffrey N. Myers, Yong Kil Hong, W. K.Alfred Yung, Peter A. Steck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

248 Scopus citations

Abstract

MMAC/PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 10q, has recently been shown to act as a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate phosphatase and to modulate cell growth and apoptosis. Somatic mutations of MMAC/PTEN have been reported in a number of human cancers, especially in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), although the number of identified mutations (~10-35%) is significantly lower than the frequency of LOH affecting the MMAC/PTEN locus in the specimens (~75-95%). To further investigate the possible alterations that may affect MMAC/PTEN, we examined the expression of the gene by reverse transcription-PCR in a series of gliomas. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was observed between the expression of MMAC/PTEN in GBMs versus lower grades of gliomas, thus mimicking the difference in allelic deletion associated with the locus in these tumors. Furthermore, Kaplan- Meier survival plots, adjusted for age and tumor grade, showed a significantly better prognosis for patients whose tumors expressed high levels of MMAC/PTEN. Additionally, immunostaining of GBMs revealed little or no MMAC/PTEN expression in about two-thirds of the tumors, whereas the other approximately one-third of tumors had significantly higher levels of expression. However, in about two-thirds of the high-expressing specimens, a heterogeneous pattern of expression was observed, indicating that certain cells within the tumor failed to express MMAC/PTEN. The combination of these results suggest that, in addition to molecular alterations affecting the gene, altered expression of MMAC/PTEN may play a significant role in the progression of GBM and patient outcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1820-1824
Number of pages5
JournalCancer Research
Volume59
Issue number8
StatePublished - Apr 15 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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