Expression of nuclear splicing factors in ovarian cancer: correlations

Abstract

16550 Background: Alternative splicing represents an important nuclear mechanism in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, which is frequently altered during tumorigenesis. Previously, we have described marked changes in alternative splicing of the CD44 gene in ovarian and breast cancer. We described also a specific induction of some splicing factors during tumor development. In the present study we have focussed on the expression profiles of different splicing factors, including classical SR proteins, Tra2β, Tra2α, Y-Box, ASF SF2 and FAK in normal and malignant ovarian tissue as well as metastasis to evaluate their expression pattern in regards to tumor development. Methods: We investigated expression levels of the different splicing factors in 15 normal tissue samples, 19 primary tumors and 24 metastatic samples of patients diagnosed with ovarian using quantified RT-PCR analysis. Results: The analysis revealed a marked and specific induction of Tra2-beta, Y-Box, SRp55, SRp30 and FAK in primary tumors as well as metastasis in comparison to physiological tissue samples (p<0.01). However, in our patienit cohort no induction was seen for the other investigated splicing factors ASF SF2, SRp40 and Tra2α. Conclusions: Our results suggest a specific induction of distinct splicing factors in ovarian cancer tumorigenesist. The involvement of Tra2-beta, Y-Box, SRp55, SRp30 and FAK in exon recognition and alternative splicing may be important for gene regulation of alternatively spliced genes like CD44 with potential functional consequences in this tumor type leading to tumor progression and metastasis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.