Aims: Expression analysis of the protein tyrosine kinases, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase2 (Pyk2) in high grade osteosarcomas.
Materials and methods: Expression of the kinases was evaluated qualitatively by immunohistochemical staining and quantitatively by real-time PCR.
Results: Osteoblastic cells of high grade osteosarcomas show a distinct FAK expression but an overexpression at the transcriptional level could not be detected. The Pyk2-mRNA expression was decreased in osteosarcomas.
Conclusion: An altered relationship of FAK and Pyk2 was observed for different tumors and could also be important for osteosarcoma development.