Expression of protein PLUNC/BPIF and fusion MECT1-MAML2 products in salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cells

Author(s)

Débora Lima Pereira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba
• Defense date: 2018-02-26

Examining board members

Pablo Agustin Vargas; Mário José Romañach; Fernanda Viviane Mariano; Albina Messias de Almeida Milani Altemani; Bruno Augusto Benevenuto de Andrade

• Advisor: Lynne Bingle; Pablo Agustin Vargas

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the second most common salivary gland tumour and the most frequent malignant salivary gland tumour. About one-third to half of all mucoepidermoid carcinomas demonstrate a specific translocation t(11;19)(q21;p13), known as MECT1-MAML2 fusion oncogene, which is associated with varied mechanisms involving cell differentiation and proliferation. Previous studies have shown that the presence of the translocation can result in a better prognosis, as well as the presence o proteins of PLUNC/BPIF family as important biomarkers of MEC. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of products of the fusion gene MECT1-MAML2 and protein BPIFA2 in MEC. 40 cases of MEC were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for BPIFA2, MECT1, MAML2 and MECT1-MAML2. Both MECT1 and the fusion protein showed being significantly correlated with BPIFA2. The MAML2 antibody was not correlated with the other antibodies and it might not be recommended to be used as a biomarker in MEC. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was performed in 21 cases and showed significant correlation with fusion gene positivity and low grade tumours (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that biomarkers MECT1, MECT1-MAML2 and BPIFA2 provide useful information for MEC diagnosis, as well as play an important role as a key to optimizing diagnosis and potential targeted therapies (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/20496-6 - CORRELATION BETWEEN EXPRESSION OF PROTEIN PLUNC/BPIF FAMILY AND FUSION MECT1-MAML2 IN MUCOEPIDERMOIDE CARCINOMA CELLS
• Grantee: Débora Lima Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate