Correlation of mRNA and protein expressions of Runx3 gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

To explore the mRNA and protein expressions of Runx3 gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the Runx3 mRNA and protein levels in 67 human PTC specimens and their matched adjacent non-cancerous epithelium (NCE). The relative expression value of Runx3 mRNA was 0.31 ± 0.07 in PTC versus 0.92 ± 0.08 in NCE (t = 38.251, P < 0.05). In PTC, it was correlated with the tumor pathological grade and lymph node metastasis (χ(2) = 5.511, 6.492, P < 0.05). The integral optical density value of Runx3 protein confirmed was 1012 ± 221 in PTC versus 1993 ± 199 in NCE (t = 18.413, P < 0.05). In PTC, it was correlated with the tumor TNM stage, pathological grade and lymph node metastasis (χ(2) = 5.550, 9.678, 5.070, P < 0.05). Furthermore there was a distinct correlation between the mRNA and protein expressions of Runx3 gene (χ(2) = 42.699, P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of Runx3 gene in PTC were lower than those in NCE. A lower expression of Runx3 gene may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of PTC.