A novel TFF2 splice variant (∆EX2TFF2) correlates with longer overall survival time in cholangiocarcinoma

Oncol Rep. 2012 Apr;27(4):1207-12. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1583. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

Abstract

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is a member of trefoil factor family found to be overexpressed in many cancers including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The majority of studies have focused on wild-type TFF2 (wtTFF2) expression, but information regarding alternative splicing variants of TFF2 mRNA has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify a novel TFF2 splice variant in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Seventy-eight tumors and 15 normal adjacent tissues were quantified for the expression of the TFF2 splice variant relative to wild-type (wt) TFF2 mRNA using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The ratio of TFF2 splice variant against wtTFF2 was analyzed for associations with clinical parameters. We found a novel TFF2 splice variant, exon 2 skipping (∆EX2TFF2), resulting in a stop codon (TAG) at exon 1. The ∆EX2TFF2/wtTFF2 ratio in tumors was significantly higher than in normal tissue (P<0.01). Interestingly, high ∆EX2TFF2/wtTFF2 ratio was significantly associated with good prognosis compared with low ratio (P=0.017). In contrast, the presence of wtTFF2 protein was associated with poor survival of CCA patients (P=0.034). This is the first report of a trefoil factor splice variant and its potential application as a prognostic biomarker in CCA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / mortality
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / metabolism*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / mortality
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Thailand
  • Time Factors
  • Trefoil Factor-2

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Peptides
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger
  • TFF2 protein, human
  • Trefoil Factor-2