Expression and significance of human ether-a-go-go-related gene protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in gastric cancers

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG1) protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in gastric carcinoma and their correlation with prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Methods Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of HERG1 and MMP-9 in 80 cases of gastric carcinomas and corresponding normal gastric tissues, and the patients were followed up. Results The positive expression rate of HERG1 and MMP-9 was 60% and 55% respectively. There was significant correlation between the positive expression rate of MMP-9 with depth of invasion, TNM stage, differention, lymphatic and distant matastasis. The positive rate of HERG1 was correlated with lymphatic and distant metastasis. Conclusion HERG1 protein and MMP-9 expression in gastric carcinoma appears to be well-characterized indicators of prognosis and metastasis and may play an important role in the tumor invasion and metastasis. Key words: Gastric carcinoma; Human ether-a-go-go-related gene protein; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Metastasis