Analysis of MTA1 gene expression for uterine cervical cancer by cDNA microarray and tissue array

Objective: cDNA microarray and tissue array was utilized for the profiling of differentially expressed genes in uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Metastasis associated 1 gene (MTA1) was investigated using these methods, and we correlated gene and protein expression of MTA1 with the invasion and metastasis of cancer. Methods: Gene expression profiles for paired cancerous and noncancerous uterine cervical tissue samples from an individual by means of a cDNA microarray representing 17,000 genes were analyzed. Of the differentially expressed genes, we assessed the MTA1 gene at the protein level using tissue array and immunohistochemistry. Results: The expressions of 15 and 21 genes were noted to have more than fivefold increase or decrease in the cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissue compared to the non-cancerous cervical tissue. The changed genes were those associated with DNA synthesis/repair, apoptosis, modulation of transcription, signal transduction, enzyme, cell cycle, cytoskeleton, metabolism, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, immune response and others. Expression of MTA1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 34 squamous cell carcinoma in situ, 32 microinvasive carcinoma and 56 invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Increased expression of MTA1 was significantly correlated with depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis. There was no statistically significant relationship between MTA1 expression and age, and FIGO stage. Conclusion: These results suggest that MTA1 may closely related to invasiveness and progression in cervical cancer. Thus, MTA1 could potentially provide information on the mechanism of cancer invasion and metastasis.