Drebrin, an actin-binding, cell-type characteristic protein: induction and localization in epithelial skin tumors and cultured keratinocytes.

Isoform E2 of drebrin, an actin-binding protein originally identified in neuronal cells, has recently been identified in diverse non-neuronal cells, mostly in association with cell processes and intercellular junctions. Here, we report on the presence of drebrin in normal human skin, epithelial skin cancers, and cultured keratinocytes. Keratinocytes of normal epidermis contain almost no drebrin but the protein is readily seen in hair follicles.

Phosphorylation of the gap junction protein Connexin43 in CIN III lesions and cervical carcinomas.

Connexins are proteins that form the connexons, gap junction structures, which allow cells to communicate. Phosphorylation of connexins has been found to impair this communication. Using an antibody specifically recognizing the S279/S282-phosphorylated form of connexin43 (Cx43) for immunohistochemistry, we have analysed Cx43 phosphorylation in normal epithelium, CIN III lesions, and carcinomas of the cervix.

Influence of neuroendocrine tumor cells on proliferation in prostatic carcinoma.

Neuroendocrine (NE) tumor cells in prostatic carcinoma (PCa) may influence tumor proliferation by a paracrine stimulus. The role of NE tumor cells is discussed controversially. This study investigates the influence of NE tumor differentiation on proliferation in PCa.

HER2/neu, p53, Ki67, and hormone receptors do not change during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

The selection of a systemic breast cancer therapy is based on the expression pattern of immunohistochemical prognostic markers. In our study we sought to determine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy may alter these expression patterns within the tumors. Our hypothesis was that the expression of the immunohistochemical prognostic markers does not differ between tissue specimens before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

In vitro suppression of urokinase plasminogen activator in breast cancer cells--a comparison of two antisense strategies.

High level expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) has been well documented in a variety of tumors. In breast cancer, expression of uPA is essential for tumor cell invasion, metastasis and proliferation. By contrast, the primary objective of tumor therapy is to reduce the uPA expression level within the tumor, which results in abrogation of proliferation, invasion and metastasizing of the tumor cells.

Reduction of PTEN and p27kip1 expression correlates with tumor grade in prostate cancer. Analysis in radical prostatectomy specimens and needle biopsies.

The extreme variability of prostate cancer implies latent disease with missing clinical symptoms in some cases. Tumor suppressors PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) and p27kip1 are frequently mutated in various human cancers. PTEN negatively influences cell growth and induces apoptosis, while p27kip1 binds to cyclin-E-Cdk2 and counteracts mitosis.

Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in serum, core needle biopsies and tissue specimens of prostate cancer patients.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and second in the cancer-related frequency of mortality. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in tumor invasion and metastasis in various malignancies. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are capable of digesting collagen type IV.

Expression of TGF-alpha in neuroendocrine tumours of the distal colon and rectum.

Aim: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) has been localized in neuroendocrine L-cells of the colon and rectum in previous studies. We examined whether neuroendocrine tumours with L-cell differentiation express TGF-alpha.

Experimental Design: Immunohistochemistry was performed for proglucagon- and pro-pancreatic polypeptide derivatives, as well as for TGF-alpha, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using paraffin sections from 16 neuroendocrine tumours of the colon and rectum.

Bax, Bcl-2, fas and Fas-L antigen expression in human seminoma: correlation with the apoptotic index.

Apoptosis plays a crucial role in the regulation of spermatogenesis in male germ cells and is, at least in part, modulated by Bcl-2, Bax, and the Fas pathway. Seminomas have a favourable outcome and respond to radio-/chemotherapy with an increased rate of apoptosis. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) in human seminoma was evaluated and correlated with the apoptotic index.