Reduced mRNA expression level of corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein is associated with aggressive human kidney cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Significance of Urocortin (Ucn or UcnI), Ucn2, Ucn3 and their receptors, Corticotropin Releasing Factor Receptor 1 and 2 (CRFR1 and CRFR2), and the binding protein, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone-Binding Protein (CRHBP) in oncology is growing rapidly. The objective of our study was to assess the expression of the CRHBP mRNA and protein in renal cancer.

METHODS:

Tumoral tissues of 78 patients with clear cell renal cell cancer and their corresponding normal tissues were analyzed using quantitative mRNA expression analysis for detection of mRNA expression level. Protein expression and tissue localization of CRHBP protein in renal specimens was evaluated using western blotting, immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence, respectively.

RESULTS:

We found an approx. 33 fold decrease of average CRHBP mRNA level in tumoral tissues compared to paired normal tissues (p<0.001). Diminished CRHBP mRNA expression was positively correlated with advanced, metastasized and higher stage of disease (p<0.001, p=0.026, p=0.028 respectively). CRHBP protein was detected in glomeruli and proximal tubules of normal kidney while none or weak immunopositivity was found in cc-RCC (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The expression analysis of CRHBP shows that cc-RCC is characterized by a significant loss of CRHBP mRNA expression that furthermore is associated with a more aggressive state of tumors. Depletion of CRHBP proteins also indicate that the protein as part of the UCN system may be involved in renal carcinogenesis.

• Authors: Hossein Tezval, Faranaz Atschekzei, Inga Peters, Sandra Waalkes, Jörg Hennenlotter, Arnulf Stenzl, Jan U Becker, Axel S Merseburger, Markus A Kuczyk, Jürgen Serth
• Journal: BMC cancer (BMC Cancer) Vol. 13 Pg. 199 (Apr 22 2013) ISSN: 1471-2407 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23607589 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• corticotropin releasing factor-binding protein

Topics

• Aged
• Carcinoma, Renal Cell (genetics, metabolism, secondary)
• Carrier Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney Glomerulus (metabolism)
• Kidney Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Kidney Tubules, Proximal (metabolism)
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasm Staging
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)