Germ cell specific protein VASA is over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer and disrupts DNA damage-induced G2 checkpoint

Hisashi Hashimoto, Tamotsu Sudo, Yoshiki Mikami, Mieko Otani, Masaoki Takano, Hiroshi Tsuda, Hiroaki Itamochi, Hidetaka Katabuchi, Masaharu Ito, Ryuichiro Nishimura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Cancer cells have characteristics, such as high telomerase activity and high levels of migration activity and proliferation, which are very similar to those of germ cell lineages. In this study, we examined the expression of VASA, a germ cell lineage specific marker and evaluated its clinical significance in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: We investigated VASA expression in 75 EOC tissues by immunohistochemistry, correlating results with clinicopathological factors. To clarify the effects of VASA on cellular phenotypes, we compared the protein expression profiles between SKOV-3 cells stably expressing VASA (SKOV-3-VASA) and vector-control cell lines by coupling 2D fingerprinting and identification of proteins by mass spectrometry. Results: VASA expression in tumor cells was found in 21of 75 cases and was positively correlated with high age and serous histology. Significant down-regulation of 14-3-3σ was observed in SKOV-3-VASA versus control cells. Over-expression of VASA abrogates the G2 checkpoint, induced by DNA damage, by down-regulating the expression of 14-3-3σ. Conclusions: These results suggest that VASA may either play a direct role in the progression of EOC or serve as a valuable marker of tumorigenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)312-319
Number of pages8
JournalGynecologic oncology
Volume111
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11-2008
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Oncology
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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