Expression of the protooncogenes c-fos, c-myc and c-jun in human normal miometrium and leiomyoma

Uterine myomas are common benign tumors of the female genital tract. The expression of growth factor signal transduction cascade components including the protooncogenes c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun seem to be involved in the development of myomas. Purpose: To compare the gene (mRNA) and protein expression of the protooncogenes c-fos, c-myc, and c-jun in human normal myometrium and leiomyoma. Method: A case-control study was performed. Samples were collected from 12 patients submitted to hysterectomy at the Hospital de Clinicas at Porto Alegre. The expression of the specifi c mRNA for c-myc, c-fos, c-jun, and beta-microglobulin was assessed through the RT-PCR technique, using specifi c primers to each gene. The protein expression of these protooncogenes was evaluated through the Western blot technique with specifi c antibodies. Results: No statistically signifi cant difference was observed in the gene expression for these protooncogenes between normal myometrium and leiomyoma (c-myc: 0,87+/-0,08 vs 0,87+/-0,08, p = 0,952; c-fos: 1,10+/-0,17 vs 1,01+/-0,11, p = 0,21; c-jun: 1,03+/-0,12 vs 0,96+/-0,09, p = 0,168, respectively). No statiscally signifi cant difference was observed for the protein expression of these protooncogenes between normal myometrium and leiomyoma (c-myc: 1,36+/-0,48 vs 1,53+/-0,29, p = 0,569; c-fos: 8,85+/-5,5 vs 6,56+/-4,22, p = 0,434; e c-jun: 6,47+/-3,04 vs 5,42+/-2,03, p = 0,266, respectively). Conclusion: No difference was observed in the gene expression (transcription) nor in the protein expression (translation) of the protooncogenes c-myc, c-fos, and c-jun between leiomyoma and myometrium.