Testis-specific protein Y-encoded gene is expressed in early and late stages of gonadoblastoma and testicular carcinoma in situ

Urol Oncol. 2007 Mar-Apr;25(2):141-6. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2006.08.002.

Abstract

The testis-specific protein Y-encoded gene (TSPY) is a tandem repeat gene located at the critical region for the gonadoblastoma locus on Y chromosome that predisposes the dysgenetic gonads of intersex individuals to oncogenesis. The expression and molecular properties of TSPY suggest that it is the putative gene for the gonadoblastoma locus on Y chromosome. In this study, we examined the expression of TSPY and other germ cell tumor markers in 4 cases of gonadoblastoma using immunostaining techniques. Our results showed that TSPY expression was closely associated with initiation and various stages of gonadoblastoma development. TSPY protein localized with established germ cell tumor markers, such as the placental alkaline phosphatase, c-KIT, and OCT3/4, in the same tumor cells of both gonadoblastoma and adjacent carcinoma in situ, the precursor for germ cell tumors. These findings support the candidacy of TSPY as the gene for the gonadoblastoma locus on Y chromosome and suggest that TSPY could be a significant marker for these types of germ cell tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Carcinoma in Situ / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Germ Cells / pathology*
  • Gonadoblastoma / metabolism
  • Gonadoblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • TSPY1 protein, human