A proteomic study of human merkel cell carcinoma

Qiang Shao, Stephanie D. Byrum, Linley E. Moreland, Samuel G. Mackintosh, Aarthi Kannan, Zhenyu Lin, Michael Morgan, Brendan C. Stack, Lynn A. Cornelius, Alan J. Tackett, Ling Gao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer of the skin. The incidence has been quadrupled with a 5-year mortality rate of 46%, presently there is no cure for metastatic disease. Despite the contribution of Merkel cell polyomavirus, the molecular evens of MCC carcinogenesis are poorly defined. To better understand MCC carcinogensis, we have performed the first quantitative proteomic comparison of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MCC tissues using another neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid tumor of the lung) as controls. Bioinformatic analysis of the proteomic data has revealed that MCCs carry distinct protein expression patterns. Further analysis of significantly over-expressed proteins suggested the involvement of MAPK, PI3K/Akt/ mTOR, wnt, and apoptosis signaling pathways. Our previous study and that from others have shown mTOR activation in MCCs. Therefore, we have focused on two downstream molecules of the mTOR pathway, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) and heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNPF). We confirm over-expression of LDHB and hnRNPF in two primary human MCC cell lines, 16 fresh tumors, and in the majority of 80 tissue microarray samples. Moreover, mTOR inhibition suppresses LDHB and hnRNPF expression in MCC cells. The results of the current study provide insight into MCC carcinogenesis and provide rationale for mTOR inhibition in pre-clinical studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-282
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Proteomics and Bioinformatics
Volume6
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Liquid tissue platform
  • Merkel cell carcinoma
  • PI3K/mTOR pathway

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