Abstract
Ku70/80 are genes responsible for the repairing of DNA double-strand breaks and they function as a regulatory subunit of the DNA - dependent protein kinase. Their expression has not yet been investigated in malignant melanomas of the oral cavity. These tumours are characterized by very poor prognosis and etiology independent of UV-radiation. We investigated 29 malignant melanomas of the oral cavity for the expression of Ku70/80 proteins. Ku70 expression was preserved in 21 out of 29 tumours and the percentage of Ku70 - positive cells did not exceed 76%. Ku80 was found in 19 out of 29 tumours and the percentage of Ku80-positive cells peaked at 62%. Correlations between Ku70 and Ku80 expression were lost (p>0.05). We conclude that decreased Ku70/80 expression in malignant melanomas of the oral cavity and loss of correlation between these markers may influence progression of oral melanomas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 193-196 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Anticancer Research |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1 A |
| State | Published - 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Double-strand repair
- Immunohistochemistry
- Ku70
- Ku80
- Oral melanomas