Abstract
The Ret proto-oncogene is known to be rearranged in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. The aim of this study was to investigate the in situ expression of Ret mRNA in thyroid tumors. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 45 thyroid lesions were examined by in situ hybridization using manual capillary action technology (MicroProbe Staining System) and a 52-base synthetic biotinylated oligonucleotide probe complementary to the tyrosine-kinase domain of Ret proto-oncogene. The clinicopathological features of these patients with thyroid lesions also were noted. Ret was noted in 17 (43%) of 40 papillary carcinomas. In contrast, none of the three follicular carcinomas, follicular adenoma, nodular hyperplasia, and normal thyroids, showed evidence of Ret mRNA. Our results showed that, in papillary thyroid carcinoma, there is an important role of Ret activation. The Ret staining could be a useful marker for papillary carcinoma.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / metabolism
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Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / pathology
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Adenoma / metabolism
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Adenoma / pathology
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Adult
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Carcinoma, Papillary / metabolism*
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Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
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DNA Probes / chemistry
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Humans
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Hyperplasia / metabolism
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Hyperplasia / pathology
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In Situ Hybridization
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasm Staging
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Proto-Oncogene Mas
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
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Thyroid Gland / metabolism
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Thyroid Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
Substances
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DNA Probes
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Drosophila Proteins
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MAS1 protein, human
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Proto-Oncogene Mas
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Ret protein, Drosophila