Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(7):158-163
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000700007
PURPOSE: To identify genetic polymorphisms of endothelial growth factor (VEGF), positions +936C/T and -2578C/A, in women with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 80 women divided into two groups: pre-eclampsia and control. The sample was characterized using a pre-structured interview and data transcribed from the medical records. DNA extraction, amplification of sequences by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with specific primers and polymorphism analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were performed to identify polymorphisms. The statistical analysis was performedin a descriptive manner and using the test. The multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the effect of polymorphisms on pre-eclampsia. RESULTS:Ahigher frequency of the T allele of theVEGF +936C/T polymorphism was observedin patients with pre-eclampsia, but with no significant difference. The presence of allele A of the VEGF -2578C/A was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSIONS:No significant association was observed between VEGF +936C/Tpolymorphism andpre-eclampsia. For the VEGF -2578C/A polymorphism a significant differencewas observed between thecontrol and pre-eclampsia group, with allele A being the most frequent in the control, suggesting the possibility that carriers of allele A have lower susceptibility to the development of pre-eclampsia.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2006;28(10):590-595
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006001000004
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 Clínicas at Porto Alegre. The expression of the specific mRNA for c-myc, c-fos, c-jun, and beta-microglobulin was assessed through the RT-PCR technique, using specific primers to each gene. The protein expression of these protooncogenes was evaluated through the Western blot technique with specific antibodies. RESULTS: No statistically significant 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 significant 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.