Abstract
The molecular basis of carcinogenesis in gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors is not well understood. To clarify the contribution of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling to this type of carcinogenesis, we investigated 72 cases of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor both immunohistochemically and by direct sequencing of beta-catenin. Accumulation of beta-catenin in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus was observed in 57 cases (79.2%). We also detected mutations in exon 3 of beta-catenin in 27 cases (37.5%) and one mutation in APC (1.4%). Our results suggest that alterations in the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway may be involved in the development of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Carcinoid Tumor / genetics*
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Carcinoid Tumor / metabolism
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Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics*
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Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
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Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology
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Exons / genetics
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Female
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / genetics*
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / metabolism
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Genes, APC / genetics
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Mutation*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Trans-Activators*
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Wnt Proteins
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Zebrafish Proteins*
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beta Catenin
Substances
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CTNNB1 protein, human
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Cytoskeletal Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Wnt Proteins
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Zebrafish Proteins
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beta Catenin