Open AccessDownregulation of KLF4 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Author(s) -
O H Yoon,
Jaesook Roh
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
oncology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1792-1082
pISSN - 1792-1074
DOI - 10.3892/ol.2012.834
Subject(s) - klf4 , ovarian cancer , oncogene , cancer research , carcinogenesis , cell growth , biology , cancer , downregulation and upregulation , cell cycle , cell , apoptosis , sox2 , transcription factor , gene , genetics
Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a key transcriptional regulator of cell differentiation and proliferation and an altered expression of KLF4 has been reported in a number of human malignancies. In the present study, we investigated KLF4 expression and its role in cell proliferation in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We compared KLF4, Bcl-2 and Bax transcript levels in ovaries isolated from advanced EOC and normal control ovaries. In addition, the KLF4 gene was transduced into ovarian cancer cells and transcript levels of Bcl-2 and Bax and cell proliferation were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and MTT assays, respectively. Ovarian KLF4 expression and Bcl-2/Bax ratios were downregulated in most cases of advanced EOC. In addition, KLF4 overexpression in ovarian cancer cells increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. However, MTT analysis indicated that the overexpression of KLF4 had no effect on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. The inactivation of KLF4 is frequently observed in ovarian cancers and a reduced expression of KLF4 in the ovarian cancers may lead to a reduction in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. The latter has a role in predicting cancer grade, although its exact role in ovarian carcinogenesis requires clarification.