Real-time PCR expression profile of all receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases in prostate cancer

Abstract

<p>Objectives: Tyrosine kinases (TKs) represent a group of enzymes that play a key role in the development of cancer. They act as important relay points affecting proliferation, differentiation, cell motility and apoptosis. Consequently, they are the focus of studies investigating the molecular basis of tumour development and progress. For the first time, we show the gene expression signature of all TKs in prostate cancer. <br /> Methods: The expression of 89 TKs was examined in prostatic tissue by real-time PCR (i.e. TaqMan Low Density Array). Tissue sampling, RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were meticulously standardized. Cancer specimens of defined histological grades were compared to benign tissue. Expression data was processed using a combination of different software solutions to take on the problems of normalization and statistics. <br /> Results: We identified six TK genes with a significant increase (ABL2: +3.46-fold) or decrease (FGFR2: -3.46-fold, FGFR4: -4.59-fold, NTRK1: -4.38-fold, NTRK3: -6.04-fold, ROR2: -3.765-fold; p=0,009-0,018) in gene expression. Commercially available antibodies for immunohistochemistry worked well for FGFR2 and ABL2 and confirmed our data on the protein level. <br /> Conclusions: Our results underline the potential of an all-TK expression array in cancer and point out a number of TKs that are markedly dysregulated. Especially the overexpression of ABL2 is a finding of high clinical interest, as it provides a rational molecular background for the successful application of imatinib mesylate in prostate cancer. </p>