Upregulation and secretion of kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) in gastric cancer

Tumour Biol. 2012 Jun;33(3):731-8. doi: 10.1007/s13277-011-0267-1. Epub 2012 Feb 29.

Abstract

KLK6 encoding kallikrein-related peptidase 6, a trypsin-like serine protease, has been shown to be upregulated in several cancers, although the tumorigenic role of KLK6 has not been elucidated. In this study, KLK6 was identified as a highly upregulated gene in gastric cancer; therefore, the possibility that KLK6 might be a suitable candidate tumor marker was examined. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis showed overexpression of KLK6 in gastric cancer tissues compared to nontumor regions. Sera from gastric cancer patients had a 1.7-fold increase in KLK6 (373.1 μg/L, P = 0.048) compared to healthy individuals (214.2 μg/L), although there was no significant difference among patients with various tumor stages. Cellular invasiveness decreased by 45% in cells transfected with KLK6-specific small interfering RNA. Exogenous overexpression of KLK6 led to decreased activity of the E-cadherin promoter. This study shows that KLK6 is significantly upregulated and secreted in gastric cancer tissues and sera, suggesting that KLK6 might be used as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Kallikreins / genetics*
  • Kallikreins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Transcriptional Activation
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • KLK6 protein, human
  • Kallikreins