Klin Onkol 2003; 16(2): 54-59.
Abstract:
Background: The TP73 and TP63 genes, a structural and functional homologues of p53, activate various p53-responsive promoters and induce tumour cell apoptosis. To clarify the role of these proteins in cervical carcinogenesis, it is necessary to analyse p73 and p63 protein expression using immunohistochemistry.
Patients and methods: We analysed expression of studied proteins on 35 dysplasia, 10 carcinoma and 45 normal tissues using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies recognising either target epitope specific to one isoform or target epitope sheared with many isoforms.
Results: Our results showed that expression of C-terminal isoform p73 is very limited in normal tissue and only sporadically (small proportion of CIN III and random spinocellular carcinomas) can be found outside of cells that are in contact with basal membrane while the other p73 isoforms are expressed strongly in relation with proliferating activity of the tumour. Results obtained with the antibody recognising the p63 isoforms showed their aberrant expression in connection with proliferation but without any relation to the morphology of the lesion.
Conclusion: Analysis of expression of different isoforms of p73 and p63 is necessary for understanding of their biological functions, their role in cell cycle and predominantly in the process of cell differentiation and linkage relation to basal membrane of squamous epithelium.
