Expression of proapoptotic-antiapoptotic genes in malignant, borderline and benign ovarian tumors

Abstract

There is a wide group of ovarian tumors, malignant as well as benign. Histopathological examination is used as a primary source of identifying the difference between malignant and benign processes. We analyzed ovarian tissue samples of twelve women, ages ranging from 21 to 77. Samples of 8 benign, 1 borderline, and 3 malignant ovarian tumors were included in the study. Using the quantitative PCR method, genes indicating apoptotic processes in tissue cells were evaluated, based on monitoring their relative expression. Relative gene expression was monitored for anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and effector protein Cas3. Expression of gene for protein Bax and Bcl-2 is increased and Bax predominates, which indicates that the initiation of apoptosis has begun, mostly in benign tumors. Bcl-2 was elevated in samples of borderline and malignant tumors while Bax was decreased, which indicates the inhibition of apoptosis in these samples.