Somatic mutations of VHL gene and HIF-1alpha expression in primary renal clear cell carcinomas / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the significance of somatic mutations of VHL gene and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression in primary renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mutation of VHL gene and HIF-1alpha expression were detected by means of PCR, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), direct sequencing and immunohistochemistry in 32 samples from primary renal clear cell carcinoma patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 32 RCC samples, 17 samples (53.1%) had and 32 samples of adjacent nonmalignant renal tissue had not mutations of VHL gene expression. Twelve RCC samples (70.6%) which had mutations of VHL gene expressed HIF-1alpha, and it had significant difference to 4 RCC (26.7%) samples which didn't have mutations of VHL gene (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mutations of VHL gene may play a significant role in the tumorigenesis of RCC, and HIF-1alpha expression correlates with it.</p>