Background: To compare gene expression patterns between laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells and their normal phenotypes to identify genes showing differential expression.
Materials and methods: Messenger RNA was isolated from both kinds of cells, reversely transcribed and subjected to differential display reverse transcription (DDRT)-PCR. Gene fragments showing difference in the expression were recovered, reamplified, cloned and sequenced, enabling homology search. Total RNA was isolated from laryngeal SCC cells and adjacent normal mucosa and subjected to Northern hybridization.
Results: A 159 bp gene fragment was detected, revealing 96% homology with the human myosin-binding protein-C1 (MYBPC-1) gene. Compared to the benign phenotypes the expression of MYBPC-1 was particularly increased in SCC cells, confirmed by Northern hybridization.
Conclusion: The results presented in this work may help to extend the diagnostic panoply available for the evaluation of laryngeal tissue conspicuous for malignancy.