Selection of choriocarcinoma-associated genes using bioinformatics.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the data of gene expression profiles of choriocarcinoma and screen for choriocarcinoma- related genes.

METHODS

Human cDNA expression microarray containing 4 096 genes was used to study the gene expression profiles in specimens of complete hydatidiform moles (n=3) and choriocarcinomas (n=3), with normal placental villi serving as the control group. The candidate genes with similar expression profiles were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis, and their expressions in normal and neoplastic tissues analyzed by electronic Northern analysis and other bioinformatics methods. Three selected genes were analyzed by beta-actin semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR to confirm the data.

RESULTS

A total of 52 coexpressed candidate genes were identified from the gene expression data derived from the choriocarcinoma specimens, of which 19 genes were selected as choriocarcinoma-related genes by further cluster analysis, such as dynamin (L07807), katanin p60 (AF056022), zinc finger protein ZNF184 (U6656), calmodulin (U12022), carboxypeptidase M (BC022276), calcineurin-binding protein cabin 1 (NM_012295) and transducin-like enhancer protein TLE1(M99435).

CONCLUSION

The identification of choriocarcinoma-related genes by cluster analysis provides new clues for seeking the key genes associated with the progression and metastasis of choriocarcinoma.