Overexpression of TRAF4 Gene in Ovarian Cancer Samples and Association with Metastasis and Poor Prognosis in Patients

Abstract Background: Ovarian cancer is one of the common malignancies within gynecological cancers. Its lethality may be due to problems in distinguishing it at an early stage and lack of effective managements for patients with a progressive or recurrent status. Therefore, there is an essential need for prognostic biomarkers to diagnose or identifying mechanism of disease for effective treatment. It has been found out that, TRAF4 gene was significantly transformed in different cancers. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the TRAF4 gene expression in ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumoral tissues of ovarian cancer and 40 non-tumoral tissues were enrolled. Afterwards total RNA extraction and cDNA was synthesized, the relative gene expression was determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and evaluated by 2-∆∆ct method. Finally, the expression pattern was analyzed by statistical analysis. Results: The results of recent study showed that TRAF4 expression was significantly increased in tumoral samples (p=0.0001). According to the study of demographic and clinopathology information with gene expression, there was seen a significant relationship between metastasis and up-regulation of gene. Also, there was a higher expression in TRAF4 gene in patient’s ≤ 48 years old. Conclusion: According to different studies, it seems that TRAF4 over expression is likely due to amplification of gene copies in chromosomal zone in cancers. Considering the results of present study and the over expression of TRAF4 in ovarian cancer specimen, especially over expression in patients≤48 years old, TRAF4 gene can be considered as a diagnostic biomarker

Studying the Expression of SNX2 (Sorting nexin-2) in Patients with RRMS Compared with Health Control

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder described by central nervous system (CNS) demyelination and axonal damage. While the cause of MS is still unknown, it is extensively accepted that novel drug targets need to attention. Retromers are protein complex that have an essential role in endosomal trafficking, and retromer dysfunction has been associated to several neurological disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the expression of SNX2 gene as a part of retromer complex in MS patients with health individuals. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 50 samples of cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. Followed verifying disease, 3cc peripheral blood was given from all subjects. Total RNA was extracted and complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized. The relative gene expression was determined using quantitative real-time RT PCR (qRT-PCR) and evaluated by 2^(-∆∆ct) method. Results: The expression of SNX2 gene was lower in MS patients compared with healthy controls and it was statistically significant (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that the expression of SNX2 is lower in multiple sclerosis disorder. Considering the functional role of SNX2 as a protein involved in trafficking process, SNX2 may affect receptor function or drug targeting. Therefore, supplementary studies should be done to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of the gene in cellular trafficking