Relationship Between mRNA and Protein Expressions of PTEN Gene and Pathobiological Behaviors of Gastric Carcinoma

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect the mRNA and protein expression of PTEN gene in gastric carcinoma, and to investigate the significance of PTEN gene expression in progression of gastric carcinoma. Methods: The mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were evaluated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 49 cases of gastric carcinoma and the adjacent normal mucosa. Results: The positive rates of PTEN mRNA expression were 76.3%, 45.5%, and 34.2% in adjacent normal mucosa, early and advanced gastric carcinoma, respectively. The positive rates of PTEN protein expression were 100%, 63.6%, and 47.4% in corresponding tissues. And significant difference in mRNA and protein expression of PTEN was also found between advanced gastric carcinomas and the adjacent normal mucosa (P0.01). The results from RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were coincident (P0.05). Loss or reduced expression of PTEN was significantly correlated with tumor clinicopathological stage and lymph node metastasis gastric carcinoma (P0.05). Conclusion: Decreased expressions of mRNA and protein of PTEN gene were significantly correlated with progression and pathobiological behaviors of the stomach carcinoma.