Overexpression of HMGA2 in uterine leiomyomas points to its general role for the pathogenesis of the disease

Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2009 Feb;48(2):171-8. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20627.

Abstract

An overexpression of HMGA2 is supposed to be a key event in the genesis of leiomyoma with chromosomal rearrangements affecting the region 12q14-15 targeting the HMGA2 gene, but gene expression data regarding differences between uterine leiomyomas with and those without 12q14-15 aberrations are insufficient. To address the question whether HMGA2 is only upregulated in the 12q14-15 subgroup, the expression of HMGA2 was analyzed in a comprehensive set of leiomyomas (n = 180) including tumors with 12q14-15 chromosomal aberrations (n = 13) and matching myometrial tissues (n = 51) by quantitative RT-PCR. The highest expression levels for HMGA2 were observed in tumors with rearrangements affecting the region 12q14-15, but although HMGA2 is expressed at lower levels in leiomyomas without such aberrations, the comparison between the expression in myomas and matching myometrial tissues indicates a general upregulation of HMGA2 regardless of the presence or absence of such chromosomal abnormalities. The significant (P < 0.05) overexpression of HMGA2 also in the group of fibroids without chromosomal aberrations of the 12q14-15 region suggests a general role of HMGA2 in the development of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • HMGA2 Protein / genetics*
  • HMGA2 Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Leiomyoma / genetics*
  • Leiomyoma / metabolism
  • Myometrium / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterus / metabolism

Substances

  • HMGA2 Protein