The expression of Sp1 and AP-2α and the correlation between the two transcription factors in colon cancer

Objective To study the expression of transcription factor specificity protein1 and activator protein-2α and the correlation between the two transcription factors in the process of occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. Methods To detect expression of Sp1 and AP-2α mRNA by Real-Time PCR in 60 colon cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues and the results were compared with the clinical features and pathological characters. The relationship between the expression of Sp1 mRNA and AP-2α mRNA in 60 colon cancer tissues was determined. Results The expression rates of Sp1 mRNA was detectable to highly expressed rates in colon cancer tissues than the matched normal tissues (P ＜0.01),whereas AP-2α mRNA in the colon cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in the matched normal tissues (P ＜0.01). Sp1 mRNA and AP-2α mRNA expression rates had no significant difference between the clinical features (sex, age and tumor areas) respectively. Loss expression or down regulation expression of AP-2α mRNA was detected, whereas Sp1 mRNA was detectable to highly expressed in the different histological grade and Dukes stages. The expression of Spl mRNA and AP-2α mRNA were positively correlated with the histological grade in colon cancer. A significant correlation was found between the expression of Sp1 mRNA and AP-2α mRNA (r =-0.849, P ＜0.001). Conclusion Loss or down regulation expression of AP-2α mRNA,whereas Sp1 was detectable to highly expressed in colon cancer. Negative correlation occurred in Sp1 mRNA and AP-2α mRNA indicated that AP-2α and Sp1 provide the new clues of genetic diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Intestinal neoplasms;  Transcription factor AP-2α;  Specificity protein1;  Polymerase chain reaction