Immunohistochemical assessment of apoptosis-associated proteins: p53, Bcl-xL, Bax and Bak in gastric cancer cells in correlation with clinical and pathomorphological factors

• Published in: Advances in medical sciences 2012-06, Vol.57 (1), p.77-83
• Main Authors: Gryko, M, Pryczynicz, A, Guzińska-Ustymowicz, K, Kamocki, Z, Zaręba, K, Kemona, A, Kędra, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Apoptosis; bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein - metabolism; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; bcl-X Protein - metabolism; cancer cells; Female; gastric cancer; Humans; Immunohistochemistry - methods; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Middle Aged; proteins; Stomach Neoplasms - metabolism; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1896-1126; 1898-4002
• DOI: 10.2478/v10039-012-0012-z

The p53 protein as well as Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bax, Bak and Bcl-xL regulate apoptosis. The study objective was to analyze the expression of p53, Bak, Bcl-xL and Bax in gastric cancer and in healthy gastric mucosa. The study group consisted of 66 patients with gastric cancer, treated surgically in II Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Medical University of Bialystok. The expression of the studied proteins was assessed using the immunohistochemical method. Significant differences were found in the expressions of the studied proteins as compared to healthy gastric mucosa. The expressions of p53 and Bax were significantly higher (70%vs13% and 50%vs13%), whereas those of Bak and Bcl-xL significantly lower (18% vs 83% and 74% vs 97%) in cancer cells than in normal mucosa (p