alpha-synuclein and Ovarian-Neoplasms

The synucleins (alpha, beta, and gamma) are a family of small cytoplasmic proteins that are expressed predominantly in neurons. alpha synuclein has attracted considerable attention due to its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases. Abnormal expression of gamma synuclein has recently been reported in some breast tumors. In this study, the authors examined a panel of breast and ovarian carcinomas for expression of alpha, beta, and gamma synucleins.. Normal breast and ovary tissue samples, tissue from ovaries of women at high risk of ovarian carcinoma, and tissue from breast and ovarian carcinomas were screened by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis for synuclein expression.. Synucleins were not detectable by Western blot analysis in normal breast tissue. Eighty-two percent (14 of 17) of Stage III/IV breast ductal carcinomas expressed beta synuclein, gamma synuclein, or both simultaneously. Expression of alpha synuclein was not detected in breast carcinomas by Western blot analysis. Synuclein (alpha, beta, and gamma) expression was not detectable by immunohistochemistry in normal ovarian epithelium. Eighty-seven percent (39 of 45) of ovarian carcinomas were found to express at least 1 type of synuclein, and 42% (19 of 45) expressed all 3 synucleins (alpha, beta, and gamma) simultaneously. Highly punctate gamma synuclein expression was also observed in 20% of preneoplastic lesions of the ovary, including epithelial inclusion cysts, hyperplastic epithelium, and papillary structures, suggesting that gamma synuclein up-regulation may occur early in the development of some ovarian tumors.. alpha, beta, and gamma synuclein are expressed in a high percentage of ovarian and breast carcinomas, and abnormal gamma synuclein expression may occur early in the development of ovarian carcinoma.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; alpha-Synuclein; beta-Synuclein; Blotting, Western; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary; Epithelial Cells; Female; gamma-Synuclein; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunohistochemistry; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Ovarian Cysts; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovary; Phosphoproteins; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Precancerous Conditions; Synucleins; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We have identified and characterized a new member of the human synuclein gene family, gamma-synuclein (SNCG). This gene is composed of five exons, which encode a 127 amino acid protein that is highly homologous to alpha-synuclein, which is mutated in some Parkinson's disease families, and to beta-synuclein. The gamma-synuclein gene is localized to chromosome 10q23 and is principally expressed in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra. We have determined its genomic sequence, and established conditions for sequence analysis of each of the exons. The gamma-synuclein gene, also known as BCSG1, was recently found to be overexpressed in advanced infiltrating carcinoma of the breast. Our survey of the EST database indicated that it might also be overexpressed in an ovarian tumor.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Synuclein; Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; beta-Synuclein; Brain; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Chromosome Mapping; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10; Databases, Factual; Exons; Female; gamma-Synuclein; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neurons; Ovarian Neoplasms; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Substantia Nigra; Synucleins