Expression and clinical significance of RhoC and RhoGDIa in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

RhoC is known to be overexpressed in cancer and to regulate motility of cancer cells. The activities of RhoC are negatively regulated by guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor a (GDIa), but the knowledge of its role in cancer is quite limited and the results are controversy in different cancers. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the expression of RhoC and RhoGDI alpha and analyze the correlation between RhoC and RhoGDI alpha expression and clinicopathological factors. The expression patterns of RhoC and RhoGDI alpha were examined by immunohistochemistry in 100 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The expression levels of RhoC and RhoGDI alpha proteins and mRNA were significantly enhanced in all tumor samples than those in normal tissues originating from the same individual. There was an elevated expression of RhoC and RhoGDIa protein and mRNA in subclone of lung giant cell carcinoma cell line with a higher metastatic capacity BE1 than in LH7 with a lower metastatic capacity. Both the overexpressions are regulated on the mRNA level. Elevated levels of RhoC and RhoGDI alpha in lung cancer tissues were correlated with the nodal involvement and clinic TNM stage. The overexpression of RhoC and RhoGDIa is correlated with the lower survival duration of the patients. And RhoC expression was positively correlated with RhoGDIa. RhoC and RhoGDI alpha may play roles in lung cancer, and correlated with metastasis of lung cancer, they may be independent factors of NSCLC prognosis.