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Receptors for luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LH‐RH) in human uveal melanoma as potential molecular targets for cancer therapy
Author(s) -
STEIBER Z,
TRESZL A,
ROZSA B,
BERTA A,
HALMOS G
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.477.x
Subject(s) - receptor , luteinizing hormone , western blot , hormone receptor , hormone , endocrinology , messenger rna , melanoma , medicine , chemistry , cancer research , biology , cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biochemistry , breast cancer
Purpose The expression of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LH‐RH) receptors has been demonstrated in various human cancers. Over the past decade, a direct receptor‐mediated antiproliferative effect of analogs of LH‐RH on tumor cells was proposed. The receptors for LH‐RH on human tumors can also serve as targets for LH‐RH analogs that can be linked to various cytotoxic agents. Methods In our study we investigated the expression of LH‐RH and transcript forms of LH‐RH receptor in human uveal melanoma specimens with RT‐PCR using gene specific primers. LH‐RH receptor protein were also evaluated by Western blot. Tumor specimens from 9 patients were collected at the University of Debrecen. Results Expression of mRNA for LH‐RH receptor transcript forms were detected in 6 samples. No PCR products for pituitary type of LH‐RH receptors were found. In our study 8 specimens expressed mRNA for the LH‐RH ligand. The presence of specific LH‐RH receptor protein was detected in tumor specimens by Western blotting. Conclusion We were able to detect the expression of LH‐RH and transcript forms of LH‐RH receptors in human uveal melanomas. Our results support the merit of further investigation of the expression of LH‐RH receptors and its transcript forms in human ophthalmological tumors as well as the application of LH‐RH analogs for receptor‐based treatment of such malignancies. These observations signify the importance of the development of new LH‐RH analogs with potential therapeutical applications.